Hochwasser
/ˈhoːxˌvasɐ/noun★Intermediate
general
A situation where a body of water overflows onto normally dry land, typically due to heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or other natural causes.
Die Stadt wurde durch das Hochwasser schwer beschädigt.
The city was severely damaged by the flood.
💡
In German, 'Hochwasser' is a common noun and always capitalized as it is a noun.
Collocations
Hochwasserwarnungflood warningHochwasserschutzflood protectionHochwassergebietflood area
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Hochwasserwarnungphrase
flood warning
Hochwasserschutzphrase
flood protection
💡Pro Tip
Capitalization
Remember that 'Hochwasser' is a noun and must be capitalized in German.
⚡Gold Rule
Usage Context
Use 'Hochwasser' for natural flooding events, not for man-made flooding or other types of water overflow.
📖Word Origin
Derived from 'hoch' (high) and 'Wasser' (water), literally meaning 'high water'.
📝Usage Notes
In German, 'Hochwasser' is used to describe natural flooding events. It is distinct from 'Flut', which can also refer to tidal waves or tsunamis.
Word Breakdown
Hoch
high
prefixWasser
water
rootDeutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch