der Dorn
thorn
A sharp, prickly growth on a plant, such as on roses, cacti, or thistles.
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, ich habe mich am Dorn einer Rose gestochen.
Careful, I pricked myself on the thorn of a rose.
der Dorn
thorn / awl
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Meanings
jemandem ein Dorn im Auge sein
to be a thorn in someone's side
A person or thing that constantly bothers or annoys someone, or represents a nuisance.
EXAMPLE
Der ständig bellende Hund des Nachbarn ist mir ein Dorn im Auge.
The neighbor's constantly barking dog is a thorn in my side.
der Dorn
awl / mandrel
A pointed tool or machine part used for holding, centering, widening, or punching holes in workpieces.
EXAMPLE
Der Schuster benutzte einen Dorn, um ein zusätzliches Loch in den Gürtel zu stechen.
The shoemaker used an awl to punch an additional hole in the belt.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning of 'Dorn' becomes clear from the context. If people are talking about plants such as roses or cacti, it means the sharp thorn. In connection with tools or crafts, it means a pointed instrument. The fixed expression 'im Auge' (in the eye) always points to the idiom.
EXAMPLE
Der Kaktus hat sehr lange, gefährliche Dornen.
The cactus has very long, dangerous thorns.
Typical collocations
In connection with plants, people often speak of 'spitze Dornen' (sharp thorns). The typical verb is 'sich stechen an' (to prick oneself on) with the dative, e.g. 'sich an einem Dorn stechen' (to prick oneself on a thorn).
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, dass du dich nicht an den Dornen der Brombeerhecke stichst.
Be careful not to prick yourself on the thorns of the blackberry hedge.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'jemandem ein Dorn im Auge sein' (to be a thorn in someone's side) has a fixed structure. The person who is annoyed is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Die neue Autobahn ist den Anwohnern ein Dorn im Auge.
The new highway is a thorn in the residents' side.
Register and style
The meaning 'spitzes Werkzeug' (pointed tool) is used almost exclusively in technical or craft contexts. In everyday life, this meaning is rare.
EXAMPLE
Mit einem Dorn wurde das Leder vorgelocht.
The leather was pre-punched with an awl.
Compare with
Dorn vs Stempel
stamp
When processing a workpiece, a Stempel applies pressure to the material and shapes it or punches a hole in it. A Dorn, by contrast, is a pointed part that holds, centers, expands, or punches a workpiece. The key distinction is therefore the tool's particular function.
Dorn
Der Dorn hält das Blech beim Lochen genau in der richtigen Position.
The mandrel holds the sheet metal in exactly the right position while it is being punched.
Stempel
Der Stempel drückt mit großer Kraft ein rundes Loch in das Blech.
The punch presses a round hole into the sheet metal with great force.
In real life
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