der Ast
branch
One of the main offshoots that extend directly from the trunk of a tree or from a thicker branch.
EXAMPLE
Ein starker Ast ist im Sturm vom Baum abgebrochen.
A strong branch broke off the tree in the storm.
der Ast
branch
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
der Ast
branch
In a figurative sense, a subsection or offshoot of a larger system, e.g. a family or a field of science.
EXAMPLE
Die Genealogie verfolgt jeden Ast des Familienstammbaums.
Genealogy traces every branch of the family tree.
sich einen Ast lachen
to laugh one's head off
A colloquial idiom meaning to laugh very hard and for a long time.
EXAMPLE
Bei der Komödie gestern haben wir uns wirklich einen Ast gelacht.
At the comedy yesterday, we really laughed our heads off.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'sich verästeln' (to branch out) is derived from the noun 'der Ast' (the branch). It means that something divides into many smaller branches or paths, like the branches of a tree.
EXAMPLE
Das Wegenetz im Wald verästelt sich immer mehr.
The network of paths in the forest branches out more and more.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'Ast' is often combined with verbs that describe an action: 'einen Ast absägen' (to saw off a branch), 'auf einen Ast klettern' (to climb onto a branch), or 'von einem Ast fallen' (to fall from a branch).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder kletterten auf einen dicken Ast des Apfelbaums.
The children climbed onto a thick branch of the apple tree.
Context clue
The figurative meaning of 'Ast' is often found in connection with family structures. Signal words here are 'Stammbaum' (family tree), 'Familie' (family), or 'Abstammung' (descent/ancestry).
EXAMPLE
Die Forschung zu ihrem Stammbaum zeigte, dass ein Ast der Familie nach Amerika ausgewandert war.
The research into her family tree showed that one branch of the family had emigrated to America.
Fixed expression
The expression 'sich einen Ast lachen' (to laugh one's head off) is a fixed idiom. The verb is reflexive ('sich lachen'), and 'einen Ast' is a fixed component in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Als er die Geschichte erzählte, hat sich die ganze Gruppe einen Ast gelacht.
When he told the story, the whole group laughed their heads off.
Compare with
Ast vs Zweig
branch
Ast and Zweig both refer to woody divisions of a tree. An Ast is usually thicker and grows directly from the trunk or from a larger branch; a Zweig is normally thinner and grows from a branch. The distinction is not always sharp, but size and the level of branching help determine which word to use.
Ast
Ein dicker Ast wächst seitlich aus dem Stamm.
A thick branch grows sideways from the trunk.
Zweig
Ein dünner Zweig wächst seitlich aus dem großen Ast.
A thin twig grows sideways from the large branch.
In real life
Loading video examples...