German word

segeln

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈzeːgl̩n/

Meaning

  • verbsail

Example

Wir segeln heute an der Küste.

We are sailing along the coast today.

Illustration for segeln (sail)

More examples

Auf dem offenen Meer zu segeln verlangt gute Wetterkenntnisse.

To sail on the open sea requires good knowledge of the weather.

Core concept

Wind-filled sails carry a boat across the water, whether on a short trip, a coastal journey, or for recreation.

Common phrases

  • segeln auf dem offenen Meer

    sail on the open sea

  • segeln gegen den Wind

    sail against the wind

  • segeln mit einer kleinen Crew

    sail with a small crew

Similar words

rudern: Move a boat across water by pulling oars through it.
fahren: Travel in or operate a vehicle, including a boat, to get from place to place.

Definition in German

Auf einem Segelboot mit Hilfe des Windes über das Wasser vorwärtskommen.

Word origin

German segeln is an inherited Germanic verb related to Segel and English sail, whose shared ancestry reaches back to an older Germanic word for a sail.

Usage tips

  • For movement to a destination, the perfect commonly uses sein, as in Ich bin nach England gesegelt; haben is also used for the activity itself.

Opposites

  • festmachenmoorverb
  • ankernanchorverb

Related words

  • Seglersailornoun
  • Segelsailnoun
  • Segelscheinsailing licensenoun

Word lists with this word