der Bindfaden
string
A thin, strong cord used to tie things together or secure them.
EXAMPLE
Sie band das Paket mit einem Bindfaden zu.
She tied the package shut with a piece of string.
der Bindfaden
string
der Bindfaden, die Bindfäden
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Meanings
es regnet Bindfäden
raining cats and dogs
Colloquial: 'Es regnet Bindfäden' (it's raining cats and dogs) means that it is raining very heavily and persistently.
EXAMPLE
Nimm lieber einen Schirm mit, draußen regnet es Bindfäden.
You'd better take an umbrella; it's raining cats and dogs outside.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Bindfaden, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Bindfäden |
| genitive | des Bindfadens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Bindfaden | die Bindfäden |
| accusative | den Bindfaden | die Bindfäden |
| dative | dem Bindfaden | den Bindfäden |
| genitive | des Bindfadens | der Bindfäden |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Bindfaden' (string) consists of 'Bind-' and 'Faden' (thread). 'Bind-' comes from the verb 'binden' (to tie) and indicates what the thread is used for.
EXAMPLE
Zum Zusammenbinden der Zweige brauchen wir einen Bindfaden.
We need a piece of string to tie the branches together.
Expressing the means
To specify what is used to secure something, use 'mit einem Bindfaden' (with a piece of string). The preposition 'mit' takes the dative case; typical verbs used with this phrase are 'zusammenbinden' (to tie together) and 'befestigen' (to secure).
EXAMPLE
Wir haben das Schild mit einem Bindfaden am Zaun befestigt.
We secured the sign to the fence with a piece of string.
Fixed construction
In the expression 'es regnet Bindfäden' (it's raining cats and dogs), 'Bindfäden' (strings) is always plural and has no article. The verb agrees with 'es' (it) and therefore stays singular.
EXAMPLE
Seit dem frühen Morgen regnet es Bindfäden.
It's been raining cats and dogs since early this morning.
In real life
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