die  Exkursion

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛkskuʁˈzi̯oːn/

🧐 What does "die Exkursion" mean?

Die Exkursion (feminine noun, plural: die Exkursionen) is a German noun meaning an excursion, field trip, or outing, often undertaken for a specific purpose, especially education, research, or exploration. It usually refers to an organized group trip to a particular place.

• Educational Purpose: A school trip to a museum or historical site (Schulexkursion).
• Research Purpose: A scientific exploration tour into nature (botanische Exkursion) or to an archaeological site.
• General Outing: Sometimes used more generally for a short trip or outing, usually with an informative character.

⚠️ Remember: It's always feminine: die Exkursion.

📚 Grammar in Detail: Die Exkursion

"Die Exkursion" is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Die Schulklasse macht morgen eine Exkursion ins Naturkundemuseum.
   (The school class is going on a field trip to the natural history museum tomorrow.)
2. Während der Exkursion entdeckten die Biologen seltene Pflanzen.
   (During the excursion, the biologists discovered rare plants.)
3. Wir planen eine kurze Exkursion in die Berge am Wochenende.
   (We are planning a short excursion to the mountains on the weekend.)
4. Die Kosten für die Exkursionen sind im Reisepreis enthalten.
   (The costs for the excursions are included in the travel price.)

💡 How to use "die Exkursion" correctly

"Die Exkursion" is typically used in the following contexts:

• School and University: Very common for educational trips, class outings, or study tours (e.g., eine Exkursion zur Gedenkstätte - an excursion to the memorial site).
• Science and Research: When researchers travel to a specific location to collect data or investigate something (e.g., eine geologische Exkursion - a geological excursion).
• Tourism: Often as part of a larger travel package for organized day trips (e.g., fakultative Exkursionen können vor Ort gebucht werden - optional excursions can be booked locally).

Difference from similar words:

• Ausflug (der): Is more general and often purely for pleasure (e.g., ein Sonntagsausflug - a Sunday outing). An Exkursion usually has a more specific, often educational or research-oriented purpose.
• Reise (die): Is a general term for travel, leaving one's usual place of residence for a period. An Exkursion is often a shorter trip or part of a longer journey.
• Wanderung (die): Refers specifically to hiking on foot, often in nature. An Exkursion might include hiking but doesn't have to.

The term often sounds slightly more formal or organized than a simple "Ausflug".

🧠 Memory Aids for "Exkursion"

1. For the article (die): Many feminine nouns in German end in -ion (like die Aktion, die Station, die Diskussion). Remember: Die Exkursion follows this pattern! Picture a female tour guide (die Führerin) leading the Exkursion.

2. For the meaning: "Exkursion" sounds very similar to the English word "excursion". Just remember it often implies a more educational or planned trip, like a field trip.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Potential Confusion:

Be careful not to confuse die Exkursion (the trip) with der Exkurs (the digression, e.g., in a speech or text).

😄 A Little Laugh

Fragt der Lehrer: "Wer kann mir sagen, was eine Exkursion ist?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Das ist, wenn die ganze Klasse aus Versehen den Bus verpasst und zu Fuß zurück muss!"

Translation:
The teacher asks: "Who can tell me what an excursion is?"
Little Fritz answers: "That's when the whole class accidentally misses the bus and has to walk back!"

📜 Poetry for the Trip

Die Exkursion ruft

Der Bus steht bereit, die Stimmung ist heiter,
die Exkursion beginnt, wir reisen weiter.
Zu Burgen, zu Flüssen, ins Museum hinein,
lernen und staunen, das finden wir fein.
Die Lehrer erklären, wir hören gut zu,
so eine Exkursion vergeht wie im Nu!

Translation:
The Excursion Calls

The bus is ready, spirits are bright,
the excursion begins, we travel onward right.
To castles, to rivers, into the museum we go,
learning and marvelling, we love it so.
The teachers explain, we listen with care,
an excursion like this flies through the air!

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin eine Reise, kurz oder lang,
oft mit der Schule, im Forscherdrang.
Ich zeige dir Orte, neu und bekannt,
bin lehrreich und spannend, im ganzen Land.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I am a journey, short or long,
Often with school, where researchers throng.
I show you places, new and known,
I'm educational and exciting, wherever shown.

What am I?

(Solution: die Exkursion)

🧩 More to Know

• Etymology: The word "Exkursion" comes from the Latin verb excurrere, meaning "to run out" or "to make a sortie" (ex = out; currere = to run).
• Compound words: There are many compound words in German that specify the purpose or type of excursion, e.g.: Schulexkursion (school trip), Fachexkursion (subject-specific excursion), Betriebsexkursion (company outing/tour), Naturexkursion (nature excursion), Kunstexkursion (art excursion).