das Eisen
iron
A chemical element that is a very important and widely used metal and is used, for example, to produce steel.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Brücke wurde vollständig aus Eisen gebaut.
The old bridge was built entirely out of iron.
das Eisen
iron
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Meanings
das Eisen
iron
An object made of iron, especially a tool, a piece of sports equipment such as a golf club, or colloquially a weapon.
EXAMPLE
Für diesen kurzen Schlag zum Grün nehme ich ein Eisen 7.
For this short shot to the green, I'll take a 7 iron.
ein heißes Eisen
a hot potato
An idiom meaning to address or deal with a sensitive, controversial, or difficult topic.
EXAMPLE
Mit der Diskussion über die neuen Arbeitszeiten fasst der Chef ein heißes Eisen an.
By discussing the new working hours, the boss is taking on a hot potato.
ein Eisen im Feuer haben
to have another iron in the fire
An idiom meaning that you still have another option, plan, or chance in reserve.
EXAMPLE
Selbst wenn dieser Job nicht klappt, habe ich mit einer anderen Bewerbung noch ein Eisen im Feuer.
Even if this job doesn't work out, I still have another iron in the fire with another application.
das Eisen
iron
Short form for clothes iron; a household appliance used to smooth clothing.
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, das Eisen ist noch heiß!
Careful, the iron is still hot!
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'eisern' is derived from the noun 'das Eisen' (iron). It literally means 'made of iron', but it is also used metaphorically to mean 'strong', 'unyielding', or 'hard'.
EXAMPLE
Eine eiserne Kette verschloss das Tor.
An iron chain locked the gate.
Context clues
The exact meaning of 'Eisen' (iron) as an object becomes clear from the context. In a sports context, especially golf, it is a club; in a household context, it is a clothes iron; and colloquially it can refer to a weapon.
EXAMPLE
Für diesen Schlag zum Grün nehme ich ein anderes Eisen.
For this shot to the green, I'll take a different iron.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'ein heißes Eisen anfassen' or 'anpacken' means to deal with a very sensitive or controversial topic. The verb is an important part of the expression.
EXAMPLE
Mit seinem Vorschlag hat der Minister ein heißes Eisen angepackt.
With his proposal, the minister took on a hot potato.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'ein Eisen im Feuer haben' means that you still have another option or plan in reserve. The typical verb in this expression is 'haben' (to have).
EXAMPLE
Ich mache mir keine Sorgen, denn ich habe noch ein anderes Eisen im Feuer.
I'm not worried, because I still have another iron in the fire.
Colloquial shortening
In everyday language, 'das Eisen' (iron) is often used as a short form for 'das Bügeleisen' (clothes iron). From the context, such as clothing or ironing, this meaning is usually immediately clear.
EXAMPLE
Sei vorsichtig, ich habe das Eisen gerade erst ausgemacht.
Be careful, I only just turned the iron off.
In real life
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