hanger / temple / bracket
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hanger
A shaped frame made of wood, plastic, or metal with a hook, on which clothing such as jackets, shirts, or blouses is hung.
Häng dein Hemd bitte auf einen Bügel, damit es nicht knittert.
Please hang your shirt on a hanger so it doesn't get wrinkled.
The core idea of 'Bügel' is a curved or shaped part that holds, supports, or connects something. This basic form helps you understand the logic behind the many different meanings, from clothing to glasses to buckets.
Der Henkel der Tasse hat die Form eines kleinen Bügels.
The handle of the cup has the shape of a small bracket.
Because 'Bügel' has so many meanings, it is often used in a compound word in everyday language to be clear. Pay attention to words like 'Kleiderbügel' (clothes hanger), 'Brillenbügel' (glasses temple), 'Steigbügel' (stirrup), or 'BH-Bügel' (bra underwire).
Kannst du mir bitte einen Kleiderbügel für meine Jacke geben?
Can you please give me a clothes hanger for my jacket?
When talking about a clothes hanger, the typical verbs are '(etwas) auf einen Bügel hängen' (to hang something on a hanger) and '(etwas) vom Bügel nehmen' (to take something off the hanger). The object is in the accusative.
Ich habe mein frisch gewaschenes Hemd auf einen Bügel gehängt.
I hung my freshly washed shirt on a hanger.
In connection with glasses or vision, 'der Bügel' always refers to the part that holds the glasses behind the ear. You often hear it in the context of a repair.
Ich muss zum Optiker, mein Bügel ist locker.
I need to go to the optician; the temple of my glasses is loose.
When horses, saddles, or riding are being discussed, 'der Bügel' means the foot support on the saddle, also called 'Steigbügel' (stirrup). You put your foot in the stirrup.
Der Reitlehrer erklärte, wie man die Länge der Bügel richtig einstellt.
The riding instructor explained how to adjust the length of the stirrups correctly.
On electric trains or trams, 'der Bügel' is the current collector on the roof that establishes contact with the overhead line. A defect in the pantograph often leads to a stop.
Wegen Vereisung konnte der Zug den Bügel nicht an die Oberleitung anlegen.
Because of icing, the train could not raise the pantograph to the overhead line.
handle / grip
'der Griff' and 'der Bügel' can both be a part that you use with your hand. 'der Griff' is the general term for the part used to hold or operate something. 'der Bügel' here means a specific kind of handle that is usually curved and movable, for example on a bucket, basket, or bag. The words can be confused because you can also hold a 'Bügel'. If the shape is not important, you usually say 'Griff'. If the part looks like a curved handle or can be moved, 'Bügel' is more precise.
Der Bügel des Eimers klappte nach unten, als Lisa ihn abstellte.
The bucket's handle folded down when Lisa set it down.
Am Koffer ist der Griff kaputt, deshalb kann ich ihn kaum tragen.
The handle on the suitcase is broken, so I can hardly carry it.