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GERMAN WORD OF THE DAY

German word of the day: Kette

From describing the stunning natural landscape in Germany's lake district to understanding international trade issues, this is a German word you won't be able to do without.

German word of the day
Photo credit: Francesco Ungaro / Unsplash + Nicolas Raymond / flickr

Why do I need to know Kette? 

While it may not be too useful by itself, Kette is a noun you’ll find attached to other words in many of Germany’s famous compound nouns – so it’s definitely worth knowing what it means.

In fact, you’ll hear it everywhere from the bike repair shop to news articles about economics and even chemistry analogies. 

What does it mean?

The feminine noun die Kette (pronounced like this) is the same as the English word ‘chain’. It’s what keeps your wheels moving on your bicycle and what jewellers use to make necklaces (or Halzketten in German – literally, throat chains). 

Like the English ‘chain’ though, Kette is an incredibly versatile word that can describe anything that’s linked to something else. For instance, the northern state of Brandenburg has a famous Seenkette – a chain of lakes that weaves through the rural landscape for several miles.

When you’re reading about the fall-out from the Covid pandemic, you may hear about issues with the Lieferketten – or supply chains – that have affected trade between Europe and China in particular. When you’re at a protest or demonstration, you may see people link arms to form a Menschenkette – or chain of people – and it’s pretty normal to decorate your home with Lichterketten (fairy lights) at Christmas time. 

There’s also a helpful idiom (originally from chemistry and physics) that you can use to describe a situation where a small event spirals into a larger one. When a situation like this is getting out of hand, you may worry that something you’ve done has set off a Kettenreaktion – or chain reaction. 

READ ALSO: German word of the day: Klartext

Use it like this: 

Seine Worte lösten eine unangenehme Kette von Ereignissen aus.

His words set off an unpleasant chain of events.

Kannst du mir bitte helfen? Meine Fahrradkette is abgesprungen.

Can you help me please? My bike chain’s come off. 

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For members

GERMAN WORD OF THE DAY

German word of the day: Standbein

Once you know what it means, this sturdy German word is likely to become a key part of your vocabulary.

German word of the day: Standbein

Why do I need to know Standbein?

Though it has its roots in sports terminology and sculpture, the metaphorical uses for Standbein have become much more broad than that, and it’s a word you’re bound to come across in German news articles as well as in everyday conversation. 

What does it mean?

Das Standbein (pronounced like this) literally means the standing or supporting leg, and it refers to the leg that holds the majority of the body weight. In sculpture, that means the leg that is carrying the weight of the statue, and in sport, it refers to the leg the athlete stands on, rather than the one they play with.

For example, a football player who tends to play with their right foot would have their Standbein on the left.  

The most common use of Standbein, however, has nothing to do with these specific technical terms. Instead, the metaphor of the supporting leg can be used to describe anything that supports or holds up something else, a bit like English speakers would use the word “pillar”. (Incidentally, you can also use Säule, or pillar, in this way in German.)

Probably the best translation for Standbein in this sense is “mainstay”, meaning an essential component that everything else rests on. For example, you could use Standbein to describe a key part of a region’s economy, or to describe an important policy in a government’s programme. 

READ ALSO: German word of the day`; Umstritten

You can also use Standbein to describe a source of income. Most often, you’ll hear people talking about setting up a “zweites Standbein”, or second source of income, which could be described in English as a side hustle. 

Use it like this:

In schwierigen Zeiten ist es wichtig, ein zweites Standbein zu haben.

In difficult times, it’s important to have a second source of income.

Die Chancenkarte ist ein wichtiges Standbein der Migrationspolitik der Regierung.

The opportunity card is a key component of the government’s immigration policy. 

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