der Bogen
arch / curve
A curved line or shape; also an architectural element such as an archway or bridge arch.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Steinbrücke führt in einem weiten Bogen über den Fluss.
The old stone bridge crosses the river in a wide arch.
der Bogen
arch / sheet / bow
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Meanings
der Bogen
sheet / form
A sheet of paper, often in a standardized format and usually used for forms or drawing.
EXAMPLE
Füllen Sie bitte den Fragebogen vollständig aus und geben Sie ihn am Schalter ab.
Please fill out the questionnaire completely and hand it in at the counter.
der Bogen
bow
A weapon used to shoot arrows.
EXAMPLE
Beim Bogenschießen braucht man viel Kraft und Konzentration, um mit Pfeil und Bogen das Ziel zu treffen.
In archery, you need a lot of strength and concentration to hit the target with a bow and arrow.
einen Bogen machen um
to steer clear of
To deliberately avoid someone or something or stay out of their way.
EXAMPLE
Seit ihrem Streit macht sie einen großen Bogen um ihre ehemalige beste Freundin.
Since their argument, she has been steering well clear of her former best friend.
der Bogen
bow
A stick with stretched hairs that is used to play string instruments such as the violin or cello.
EXAMPLE
Die Geigerin strich mit dem Bogen sanft über die Saiten.
The violinist gently drew the bow across the strings.
den Bogen raushaben
to get the hang
To have understood how something works or how to do something correctly; to get the hang of it.
EXAMPLE
Am Anfang war das neue Computerprogramm kompliziert, aber jetzt habe ich den Bogen raus.
At first the new computer program was complicated, but now I've got the hang of it.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Bogen' is a base word in many compounds that all refer to a curved shape or a sheet of paper. Examples are 'Regenbogen' (rainbow), 'Ellenbogen' (elbow), 'Torbogen' (archway), or 'Fragebogen' (questionnaire).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Regen erschien ein wunderschöner Regenbogen am Himmel.
After the rain, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky.
Context clue
You can easily recognize the many meanings of 'Bogen' from context: 'Pfeil' (arrow) points to the weapon (m03), 'Geige' (violin) to the musical instrument bow (m05), 'ausfüllen' (to fill out) to the paper/form (m02), and 'Brücke' (bridge) to architecture (m01).
EXAMPLE
Er spannte den Bogen und zielte mit dem Pfeil.
He drew the bow and aimed with the arrow.
Typical collocations
When 'Bogen' means a sheet of paper, it rarely stands alone. It is usually part of a compound that describes the purpose more precisely, e.g. 'Fragebogen' (questionnaire), 'Antwortbogen' (answer sheet), or 'Notenbogen' (sheet music).
EXAMPLE
Der Lehrer verteilte die Antwortbögen für den Test.
The teacher handed out the answer sheets for the test.
Fixed combination
As a weapon, 'Bogen' almost always appears in the fixed combination 'Pfeil und Bogen' (bow and arrow). These two words belong together.
EXAMPLE
Im Mittelalter jagte man mit Pfeil und Bogen.
In the Middle Ages, people hunted with a bow and arrow.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'einen Bogen um jemanden/etwas machen' means to deliberately avoid a person or thing. The object that one avoids is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich mache einen großen Bogen um das Thema Politik, wenn ich mit ihm spreche.
I steer well clear of the topic of politics when I talk to him.
Colloquial expression
The idiom 'den Bogen raushaben' is colloquial and means that you have understood how something works. It is often used after a learning phase.
EXAMPLE
Nach ein paar Versuchen hatte ich den Bogen raus und konnte endlich Fahrrad fahren.
After a few tries, I got the hang of it and could finally ride a bike.
Compare with
Bogen vs Blatt
leaf / sheet
Blatt and Bogen can both refer to a single sheet of paper. Blatt is the neutral, general term. Bogen often emphasizes a specific or standardized format and is used especially for forms or drawing paper.
Bogen
Für die Anmeldung füllt Mia den dafür vorgesehenen Bogen aus.
Mia fills out the designated form for the registration.
Blatt
Für die kurze Notiz nimmt Mia ein leeres Blatt aus dem Drucker.
Mia takes a blank sheet from the printer for the short note.
In real life
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