01
der Besen
broom
A cleaning tool with a long handle and bristles at the lower end, used for sweeping floors or surfaces.
example
Nimm bitte den Besen und kehre die Küche.
Please take the broom and sweep the kitchen.
der Besen
broom
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Typical verbs
In connection with the cleaning tool 'Besen' (broom), the verbs 'kehren' (to sweep) or 'fegen' (to sweep) are typically used. You can say 'mit dem Besen kehren' (to sweep with the broom) or 'den Schmutz zusammenfegen' (to sweep the dirt together).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte mit dem Besen die Krümel in der Küche zusammenkehren?
Could you please use the broom to sweep up the crumbs in the kitchen?
Fixed expression
There is the idiom 'einen Besen fressen' (literally: to eat a broom). You say 'Ich fresse einen Besen, wenn ...' to express that you consider something absolutely impossible or extremely unlikely.
EXAMPLE
Ich fresse einen Besen, wenn diese Mannschaft das Spiel noch gewinnt.
I'll eat my hat if this team still wins the game.
Warning: insult
Using 'Besen' (old hag) as a term for a woman is very outdated and a highly derogatory insult. This usage should definitely be avoided.
EXAMPLE
Im Streit beschimpfte er sie als „alten Besen“.
During the argument, he insulted her by calling her an “old hag.”
Cultural context
In fairy tales and legends, the broom is the classic means of transportation for witches. People then often speak of a 'Hexenbesen' (witch's broom).
EXAMPLE
An Fasching flog die Hexe auf ihrem Besen durch die Turnhalle.
At carnival, the witch flew through the gym on her broom.
Compare with
Besen vs Drache
dragon / kite
'der Drache' and 'der Besen' can both be used derogatorily for a woman who is seen as unpleasant or quarrelsome. In this meaning they are similar, but both words are insulting. 'Drache' sounds stronger and often describes a bossy or very quarrelsome person. 'Besen' in this meaning is rather old-fashioned and is less common today. They can be confused because both occur colloquially as insults for women. Important: 'Besen' normally means a tool for sweeping, while 'Drache' normally means a mythical creature or a toy.
Besen
Nenn sie nicht so einen alten Besen, das ist sehr verletzend.
Don't call her an old hag like that; it's very hurtful.
Drache
Nach dem Streit sagte Tom wütend, seine Nachbarin sei ein richtiger Drache.
After the argument, Tom angrily said that his neighbor was a real dragon.
In real life
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