der Faden
thread
A thin, long, flexible material made of interconnected fibers, used for sewing, weaving, or tying.
EXAMPLE
Der Faden ist zu dünn für diesen Stoff.
The thread is too thin for this fabric.
der Faden
thread / fathom
der Faden, die Fäden
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Meanings
der Faden
thread / strand
A thin, thread-like line or structure, for example in a technical or biological context.
EXAMPLE
Unter dem Mikroskop waren die feinen Fäden des Pilzmyzels deutlich zu erkennen.
The fine threads of the fungal mycelium were clearly visible under the microscope.
der Faden
thread
The underlying connection or coherence of a conversation, story, or argument.
EXAMPLE
Die vielen Unterbrechungen machten es schwer, dem Faden des Gesprächs zu folgen.
The many interruptions made it difficult to follow the thread of the conversation.
der rote Faden
the common thread
A continuous theme or recognizable connection running through a speech, text, or project.
EXAMPLE
In ihrem Vortrag fehlte leider der rote Faden.
Unfortunately, her presentation lacked a clear common thread.
den Faden verlieren
to lose the thread
To lose the connection between one's thoughts and therefore no longer know how to continue telling or explaining something.
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung, ich habe gerade den Faden verloren.
Sorry, I just lost the thread.
den Faden aufnehmen
to pick up the thread
To continue a conversation, story, or argument from an earlier point.
EXAMPLE
Nach der kurzen Pause nahm die Rednerin den Faden wieder auf.
After the short break, the speaker picked up the thread again.
am seidenen Faden hängen
to hang by a thread
To be in an uncertain or dangerous situation in which a small change can have major consequences.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Unfall hing sein Leben am seidenen Faden.
After the accident, his life was hanging by a thread.
der Faden
fathom
An old unit of length from seafaring, used mainly to indicate water depth; one fathom is approximately 1.8 meters.
EXAMPLE
Die Wassertiefe wurde früher in Faden angegeben.
Water depth used to be given in fathoms.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Faden, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Fäden |
| genitive | des Fadens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Faden | die Fäden die Faden |
| accusative | den Faden | die Fäden die Faden |
| dative | dem Faden | den Fäden den Faden |
| genitive | des Fadens | der Fäden der Faden |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In its literal sense, 'Faden' (thread) frequently occurs with actions such as 'einfädeln' (to thread), 'vernähen' (to sew up), and 'abschneiden' (to cut off). The fixed expression 'der Faden reißt' (the thread breaks) is also very common.
EXAMPLE
Sie fädelte den Faden vorsichtig durch das Nadelöhr.
She carefully threaded the thread through the eye of the needle.
Beim Nähen riss der Faden plötzlich.
While sewing, the thread suddenly broke.
Thread-like structures
In this meaning, 'Faden' (thread) refers to something that looks like a thread, such as fine structures in plants and fungi or a thin strand of a viscous substance. The expression 'Fäden ziehen' (to form strings) is typical, for example with melted cheese or honey.
EXAMPLE
Der geschmolzene Käse auf der Pizza zog lange Fäden.
The melted cheese on the pizza formed long strings.
Underlying connection
In its figurative meaning, 'Faden' (thread) frequently occurs with words such as 'Gespräch' (conversation), 'Erzählung' (narrative), 'Argumentation' (argument), or 'Gedanke' (thought). This usually makes it clear that 'Faden' refers to the coherence of an extended spoken or written passage.
EXAMPLE
In der Mitte des Romans reißt der Faden der Erzählung plötzlich ab.
In the middle of the novel, the thread of the narrative suddenly breaks off.
Common thread
The fixed expression 'der rote Faden' (the common thread) is used especially for presentations, texts, conversations, and projects. Common verbs used with it are 'haben' (to have), 'erkennen' (to recognize), and 'verlieren' (to lose).
EXAMPLE
Der Bericht hat einen klaren roten Faden und ist leicht zu lesen.
The report has a clear common thread and is easy to read.
Fixed expression
In 'den Faden verlieren' (to lose the thread), 'Faden' is in the accusative because the expression contains an accusative object. The expression is often used in conversations or while explaining something, also with 'gerade' (just) or 'kurz' (briefly).
EXAMPLE
Wegen der Zwischenfragen verlor die Dozentin kurz den Faden.
Because of the questions from the audience, the lecturer briefly lost the thread.
Picking up again
'Den Faden aufnehmen' (to pick up the thread) is often combined with 'wieder' (again) or 'dort' (there) and refers to continuing after a pause or interruption. Here too, 'Faden' is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Telefonat nahm er den Faden seiner Erklärung wieder auf.
After the phone call, he picked up the thread of his explanation again.
Silken thread
In the fixed expression 'am seidenen Faden hängen' (to hang by a thread), 'am' stands for 'an dem' and requires the dative. The expression usually describes a situation whose outcome is still completely uncertain.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem knappen Wahlergebnis hing die Entscheidung am seidenen Faden.
After the narrow election result, the decision was hanging by a thread.
Historical unit
As a unit of length, 'Faden' (fathom) is now found mainly in historical, nautical, or technical texts. In this usage, the word frequently occurs with information about water depth or distance.
EXAMPLE
Der alte Bericht nennt eine Wassertiefe von zwölf Faden.
The old report gives a water depth of twelve fathoms.
In real life
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