01
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
01 / 06
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 Papier
paper
'das Papier' and 'der Bogen' can both have to do with a piece of paper. 'Papier' means the material in general. 'Bogen' means a single larger or specific sheet of paper, often in a fixed format, for drawing, printing, or as a form. Learners may confuse the words because a 'Bogen' is usually made of paper. Still, you do not automatically call every small sheet a 'Bogen'. 'Papier' fits when you mean the material; 'Bogen' fits when the individual format or form is important.
Bogen
Bitte füllen Sie den Bogen aus und geben Sie ihn am Schalter ab.
Please fill out the form and hand it in at the counter.
Papier
Das Papier ist zu dünn für diese Farbe.
The paper is too thin for this paint.
In real life
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