vein
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vein
A blood vessel in the body of humans or animals that carries blood back to the heart. Colloquially, it is often used for any blood vessel.
Bei der Blutspende wird die Nadel vorsichtig in eine Ader am Arm eingeführt.
During blood donation, the needle is carefully inserted into a vein in the arm.
streak / talent
A special talent or inclination for something.
Sie hat eine künstlerische Ader und malt wunderschöne Bilder.
She has an artistic streak and paints beautiful pictures.
vein / streak
A narrow layer or stripe of a particular material within another, for example a vein of ore in rock or the grain in wood.
Die Bergleute hofften, auf eine reiche Goldader zu stoßen.
The miners hoped to strike a rich vein of gold.
The meaning of 'Ader' is easy to recognize from context. If it is about the body, it means a blood vessel. If it is about talents, it means a gift or talent. If it is about materials like stone or wood, it means a layer or vein.
Die Krankenschwester fand sofort eine passende Ader für die Blutabnahme.
The nurse immediately found a suitable vein for taking blood.
In the meaning 'Begabung' (talent), 'Ader' is almost always combined with an adjective (e.g. 'künstlerische' (artistic), 'soziale' (social)) and the verb 'haben' (to have). You can also say that someone 'eine Ader für etwas' (has a talent for something).
Er hat definitiv eine komische Ader, er bringt alle zum Lachen.
He definitely has a comic streak; he makes everyone laugh.
In the geological or material meaning, 'Ader' is often part of compound words. Examples are 'Goldader' (vein of gold), 'Erzader' (vein of ore), 'Wasserader' (underground water vein), or 'Marmorader' (marble vein).
Der alte Baum hatte eine dunkle Ader im Holz.
The old tree had a dark streak in the wood.
vessel / container
Both words can refer to a tube-like structure in the body through which blood flows. “Ader” is the common colloquial term for this, while “Gefäss” is more technical and broader in meaning because it also includes lymphatic vessels. Use “Ader” in everyday situations and “Gefäss” when describing it more precisely.
Die Ärztin untersuchte die Ader am Arm des Patienten.
The doctor examined the vein in the patient’s arm.
Das Gefäss transportiert Blut und Lymphe durch den Körper.
The vessel transports blood and lymph through the body.
