chord / piecework
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chord
In music, the simultaneous sounding of at least three different notes that are harmonically related.
Der Gitarrenlehrer zeigte ihr, wie man einen C-Dur-Akkord greift.
The guitar teacher showed her how to finger a C major chord.
piecework
A form of work in which payment is based not on working time, but on the amount produced. The expression 'im Akkord arbeiten' means to work very quickly and without a break.
Die Packer mussten im Akkord arbeiten, um alle Pakete rechtzeitig zu versenden.
The packers had to work at piecework pace in order to ship all the packages on time.
'Akkord' has two main meanings, which you can recognize from the context and the grammar. In music, people speak of 'einem Akkord' (a chord), for example on an instrument. In a work context, the fixed expression 'im Akkord' is almost always used to describe working quickly.
Er übt einen neuen Akkord auf der Gitarre.
He is practicing a new chord on the guitar.
In a musical context, 'Akkord' is often combined with the verbs 'spielen' (to play), 'greifen' (to finger, with string instruments), or 'drücken' (to press, with keyboard instruments).
Kannst du diesen Akkord auf dem Klavier spielen?
Can you play this chord on the piano?
The meaning 'to work quickly' is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'im Akkord' or 'im Akkord arbeiten' (to work at piecework pace). The preposition 'im' is a fixed part of the expression here.
Vor Weihnachten arbeiten die Zusteller oft im Akkord.
Before Christmas, delivery drivers often work at piecework pace.
