die Axt
axe
A tool with a heavy metal head and a long handle, used for splitting and felling wood.
EXAMPLE
Er spaltete das Brennholz mit einer scharfen Axt.
He split the firewood with a sharp axe.
die Axt
axe
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Meanings
die Axt im Walde
bull in a china shop
Part of an idiom that describes rough, clumsy, or inconsiderate behavior. The full German idiom is often "sich benehmen wie die Axt im Walde".
EXAMPLE
Er stürmte ins Büro und schrie herum – er benahm sich wirklich wie die Axt im Walde.
He stormed into the office and started shouting—he really behaved like a bull in a china shop.
Usage tips
Typical verbs
In connection with the tool 'Axt' (axe), the verbs 'hacken' (to chop), 'spalten' (to split), or 'fällen' (to fell) are often used. You do something 'mit der Axt' (with the axe).
EXAMPLE
Der Forstarbeiter fällte den Baum mit wenigen Schlägen seiner Axt.
The forestry worker felled the tree with just a few swings of his axe.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'sich benehmen wie die Axt im Walde' means that someone behaves very roughly, clumsily, and without consideration for others.
EXAMPLE
Er hat alle angeschrien. Er benimmt sich wie die Axt im Walde.
He shouted at everyone. He's behaving like a bull in a china shop.
Using the expression
The expression is usually used with the verb 'sich benehmen' (to behave). Sometimes the expression is also used as a short comment, 'Die Axt im Walde!' (like a bull in a china shop!), to criticize a person's behavior.
EXAMPLE
Er hat die Tür eingetreten. Wirklich die Axt im Walde!
He kicked the door in. A real bull in a china shop!
Compare with
Axt vs Beil
hatchet
An Axt and a Beil are tools for chopping or splitting wood. An Axt is usually larger and has a longer handle, while a Beil is smaller and easier to handle. Use Axt for heavy work and Beil when a smaller tool is sufficient.
Axt
Zum Fällen des dicken Baumes nahm der Förster eine Axt mit langem Stiel.
To fell the thick tree, the forester took an axe with a long handle.
Beil
Zum Spalten der kleinen Holzstücke nahm der Förster ein handliches Beil.
To split the small pieces of wood, the forester took a handy hatchet.
In real life
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