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trekken
/ˈtʁɛkən/
to trek
Wir wollen im Sommer in die Berge trekken.
We want to go trekking in the mountains this summer.
informal
to trek, to hike, to go on a long journey on foot, especially in nature or mountains.
Sie trekken durch die Wüste.
They are trekking through the desert.
Die Gruppe plant, eine Woche lang zu trekken.
The group plans to go trekking for a week.
Often used in the context of outdoor activities, hiking, or adventure travel. Can imply a sense of endurance or exploration.
Collocations
eine Tour trekkento go on a trek/hikedurch die Natur trekkento trek through natureeine Woche trekkento go trekking for a week
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguish from 'wandern'
'Trekken' often implies a longer, more challenging journey than 'wandern' (to hike). 'Wandern' can refer to shorter, leisurely hikes, while 'trekken' suggests endurance and exploration.
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use 'trekken' for longer, more strenuous journeys, especially in nature or wilderness settings. For casual walks, use 'spazieren gehen' or 'wandern'.
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'trecken', meaning 'to pull, drag'. Related to Old High German 'trehhan' and Dutch 'trekken'. The modern meaning evolved from the idea of pulling oneself along a path, emphasizing endurance and movement through challenging terrain.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in German-speaking countries for outdoor activities, especially in contexts like hiking, backpacking, or adventure travel. Not typically used for short walks or casual strolls.
Word Breakdown
treck-
root related to pulling or dragging
root-en
verb suffix
suffixDeutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch