Lotse

pilot (nautical or air traffic guide)

noun LOT-ze Rare

Origin: from Low German 'lodsman', a guide.

Also means

harbour pilot

Usage Note

Lotse navigates ships through difficult waters such as ports and straits (Hafenlotse), or guides aircraft as an air traffic controller (Fluglotse). The compound clarifies the context; both require specialist licences.

Examples

"Der Lotse führte das Containerschiff sicher in den Hamburger Hafen ein."

Natural Translation

The pilot safely guided the container ship into the port of Hamburg.

Literal Translation

The pilot guided the container-ship safely into the Hamburg harbour.

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