die  Safari

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/safaˈʁiː/

🌍 What does "die Safari" mean?

The word die Safari (plural: die Safaris) in German primarily refers to a journey or expedition, especially in Africa, for the purpose of observing and sometimes hunting wild animals in their natural habitat. The word originally comes from Swahili ("journey"), which borrowed it from Arabic.

In a figurative sense, "Safari" can also be used for an exploratory tour or search in other contexts, for example:

• Fotosafari: A trip mainly focused on photographing animals.
• Großstadtsafari: A humorous term for an exploratory tour through a city.

🚨 Attention: The word is used as feminine in German (die Safari), even though it ends in "-i", which isn't always typical for feminine nouns.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Safari

The noun "Safari" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences 📝

1. Wir planen nächsten Sommer eine Safari durch Kenia.
   (We are planning a safari through Kenya next summer.)
2. Während der Safari sahen wir Elefanten und Giraffen.
   (During the safari, we saw elephants and giraffes.)
3. Mit einer guten Kamera kann man auf Safari beeindruckende Fotos machen.
   (With a good camera, you can take impressive photos on safari.)
4. Viele Reiseveranstalter bieten geführte Safaris an.
   (Many tour operators offer guided safaris.)

🗺️ When to use "die Safari"?

The term die Safari is mainly used in the context of travel and wildlife observation, especially concerning Africa. Here are some typical use cases:

• Travel planning: "Ich buche eine Safari in Tansania." (I'm booking a safari in Tanzania.)
• Sharing experiences: "Die Safari war das Highlight unseres Urlaubs." (The safari was the highlight of our vacation.)
• Nature documentaries: They often feature the lives of animals during a fictional or real Safari.
• Metaphorically: Less common, but possible, e.g., "Wir machten eine kleine Safari durch die unbekannten Viertel der Stadt." (We went on a little 'safari' through the unknown parts of the city.)

Compared to "Expedition" or "Reise" (journey, trip), "Safari" has a more specific connotation strongly linked to Africa and wild animals. An "Expedition" can be more scientific or general, while a "Reise" is the generic term for travel.

💡 Mnemonics for "die Safari"

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of other feminine travel words in German: die Reise (the trip), die Expedition (the expedition). Associate die Safari with these feminine concepts.

2. Meaning Mnemonic: The word sounds a bit like "so far-i". Imagine saying, "I traveled so far-in Africa to see the animals on this Safari."

Remember: Die exciting Safari leads through Africa's vast landscapes.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Savanne: (Savanna) This is the habitat (grassland) where safaris often take place, not the journey itself.

😂 A little joke

Fragt der eine Löwe den anderen auf Safari: "Na, wie war die Jagd heute?"
Sagt der andere: "Ach, durchwachsen. Die Touristen im offenen Jeep waren schon wieder viel zu zäh..."

Translation:
One lion asks the other on safari: "So, how was the hunt today?"
The other says: "Oh, so-so. The tourists in the open jeep were way too tough again..."

📜 Safari Poem

Die Sonne brennt, der Jeep rollt sacht,
Die Safari hat uns hergebracht.
Ein Elefant, ganz grau und groß,
Trinkt ruhig aus dem Wasserfloß.
Giraffen recken Hälse lang,
Ein aufregender Gesang.
Von Zikaden, fern und nah,
Afrika ist wunderbar!

Translation:
The sun burns hot, the jeep rolls slow,
The Safari brought us here, you know.
An elephant, all grey and grand,
Drinks calmly from the water's strand.
Giraffes stretch their necks up high,
An exciting song goes by.
From cicadas, far and near,
Africa is wonderful, it's clear!

❓ Riddle

Ich bin eine Reise, oft weit,
Durch Steppe, Busch, zu jeder Zeit.
Man sucht nach Tieren, groß und klein,
Mit Kamera oder Gewehr – so soll es sein?
Mein Name klingt nach Abenteuer pur,
In Afrikas wilder Natur.

Wie heiße ich?

Translation:
I am a journey, often far,
Through steppe, bush, wherever you are.
People look for animals, big and small,
With camera or rifle – standing tall?
My name sounds like pure adventure's call,
In Africa's wild nature, enthralling all.

What am I?

Solution: die Safari

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin (Etymology):

• The word "Safari" originally comes from Arabic: سفر (safar), meaning "journey".
• It was adopted into Swahili as "safari" (also meaning "journey").
• Through colonialism and travelogues in the 19th century, it entered European languages, including German and English, with the more specific meaning of a journey for wildlife observation or hunting in Africa.

Cultural Significance: Safaris are a significant part of the tourism industry for many African countries, but they also carry romanticized and sometimes problematic associations with adventure and the colonial era.