German · Nature, Animals & Weather

"Forest" in German: Wald

der Wald

Say it: VALTmasculine · der Waldnoun/valt/

Forest in German is der Wald. You go in den Wald or spazieren im Wald. The plural is die Wälder. Forst is more for managed woodland and forestry work.

Weekend plan

Wir gehen morgen in den Wald.
We're going into the forest tomorrow.
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How to pronounce Wald

Say it

VALT

/valt/

VALT. Final d sounds like t. Short a as in "father" but clipped.

"Forest" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
der Waldforest, woods

Everyday word for woods you walk in.

im Waldin the forest

Location phrase.

die Wälderforests

Plural with umlaut.

der Forstforest (managed)

Forestry and official language.

How to use Wald in real life

  1. 1Weekend plan

    Wir gehen morgen in den Wald.

    We're going into the forest tomorrow.

    in den Wald after gehen for motion into the woods.

  2. 2Warning a child

    Lauf nicht allein im Wald!

    Don't run alone in the forest!

    im Wald for being inside already.

  3. 3Looking at a map

    Hinter dem Dorf beginnt der Wald.

    Behind the village the forest begins.

    Simple nominative with der.

Mistakes English speakers make with Wald

Incorrect: Wir gehen in dem Wald. (for entering)

Correct: Wir gehen in den Wald.

Motion into the forest uses accusative: in den Wald. im Wald means you are already there.

Incorrect: die Wald

Correct: der Wald

Wald is masculine.

Good to know

Germans treat Wald walks as normal weekend culture, not a special hike. Many towns sit next to a Stadtwald, and Sunday Spaziergang im Wald with coffee afterward is a classic family rhythm.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Planning a Sunday walk

  1. ChatPal

    Sollen wir heute in den Wald?

    Should we go into the forest today?

  2. You

    Ja. Kennst du einen schönen Wald hier?

    Yes. Do you know a nice forest around here?

  3. ChatPal

    Den Stadtwald. Da ist es ruhig.

    The city forest. It's quiet there.

  4. You

    Perfekt. Ich packe Wasser ein.

    Perfect. I'll pack water.

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"Forest" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Forest" in German

What is the plural of Wald?

Die Wälder, with an umlaut.

How do you say in the forest?

Im Wald if you are there; in den Wald if you are going in.

Is Forst the same as Wald?

Similar, but Forst sounds more technical or official.

How do you say forest path?

Der Waldweg.

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