Reading · A2 · Text 11

Wolke

43 words1 min read81% known at A2

Aus dem Fenster eines Flugzeugs können Wolken manchmal von Nahem betrachtet werden.

From an airplane window, clouds can sometimes be seen up close.

In einem Flugzeug reist man meist über den Wolken.

In an airplane, you usually travel above the clouds.

Denn hohe Wolken liegen in einer Höhe von ungefähr 5 bis 13 Kilometern über dem Boden.

Because high clouds are at an altitude of roughly 5 to 13 kilometers above the ground.

Moderne Passagier-Flugzeuge fliegen zwischen 9 und 12 Kilometern hoch.

Modern passenger planes fly at between 9 and 12 kilometers in altitude.

7 words above A2

zwischen
between Wechselpräposition; here with dative (zwischen 9 und 12 Kilometern)
liegen
to lie, be located irregular: liegt – lag – gelegen; intransitive
approximately, about approximate B1/ˈʊnɡəfɛːɐ̯/
Höhe
height, altitude plural: die Höhen
betrachtet← betrachten
viewed, looked at past participle; used with 'werden' for passive to look at, to consider, to behold; to regard, to consider, look upon (something in a certain way) B1/bəˈtʁaxtən/
meist
mostly, usually
passenger plural: die Passagiere passenger (especially of a plane or ship, but applicable to all transport) B1/ˌpasaˈʒiːɐ̯/

Grammar in this text

Passive voice with modal verb

können Wolken manchmal von Nahem betrachtet werden

The modal verb 'können' is combined with the passive infinitive 'betrachtet werden' to express possibility. Recognizable by the participle at the end and 'werden' in the infinitive.

Dative after Wechselpräposition (location)

über dem Boden

Prepositions like 'über' are Wechselpräpositionen. When they describe a static location (no movement), they take the dative case. 'über dem Boden' means 'above the ground'.

Indefinite pronoun 'man'

reist man meist

The pronoun 'man' means 'one' or 'you' in a general sense. It is followed by the third-person singular form of the verb (here: 'reist').

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Text from Wolke — Klexikon, used under CC BY-SA 4.0. See sources.

Translation, glossary and grammar notes are machine-generated and inherit the same licence.