German Conversation · Level 30
89 words
German word
zelten
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈtsɛltn̩/
Meaning
- verbcamp
Example
Im Sommer zelten wir oft im Wald.
We often camp in the woods during the summer.
More examples
Letzte Nacht haben wir am Strand gezeltet.
We camped on the beach last night.
Core concept
A night outdoors centered on setting up a tent instead of staying in a building.
Common phrases
unter dem Sternenhimmel zelten
camp under the stars
am Strand zelten
camp on the beach
Similar words
campen: Stay overnight outdoors using a tent, camper, or similar shelter.
übernachten: Spend a night at a particular place, without implying outdoor lodging.
wildcampen: Stay overnight in a tent at a place where camping is not permitted.
Definition in German
ein Zelt aufschlagen und dort schlafen
Word origin
The verb zelten developed from Zelt by adding the standard verb-forming ending -en, and Zelt is recorded in Middle High German as zelt.
Usage tips
- Zelten usually refers specifically to sleeping in a tent, whereas the broader verb campen can describe camping without focusing on a tent.
Other meanings
- camp outverb
Related words
- das Zelttentnoun
- das Zeltlagertent campnoun
- das Zeltentent campingnoun