German word of the day: Badesee
Badesee
?
Going for a swim in a lake isn't just a refreshing way to spend a sweltering summer day, it's also a cherished part of German culture.
When temperatures get hot – like they're expected to this week – you'll want to know how to say yes when your German friends invite you on a day trip to the
Badesee
.
What does it mean?
Badesee
(plural:
Badeseen
) literally translates to bathing lake, and the word refers to a lake where people go swimming.
Heading to the
Badesee
is a common summer pastime across Germany. There are at least a dozen popular
Badeseen
in and around Berlin. But there are
Badeseen
all across the country too. Odds are, there's one in your corner of Germany as well.
Badeseen
offer
a cheap and accessible way to cool off, exercise and relax with family and friends. And with temperatures projected to reach 35C in Berlin this week, you can expect your local
Badesee
to be pretty crowded. If schools and workplaces grant
Hitzefrei
– a day off from work or school due to high temperatures – the lakes will probably be especially packed.
READ ALSO:
Hitzefrei - Is it ever legally too hot to go to work or school in Germany?
Some
Badeseen
in Germany include designated nudist – or
Freikörperkultur –
areas, though the practice has waned in popularity over the years. If you see a sign saying FKK, be prepared to enter a mostly clothing-free zone!
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Here's how to use it:
Willst du zum Badesee mitkommen?
Do you want to come along to the (bathing) lake?
Wir sind letztes Wochenende zum Badesee gefahren.
We went to the lake last weekend.
Es gibt viele Badeseen in der Nähe von Berlin.
There are many lakes near Berlin.
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