der Eiszapfen
icicle
An elongated, pointed mass of ice that usually forms along roof edges or on rocks when dripping water freezes.
EXAMPLE
Vom Dach hing ein langer Eiszapfen herunter.
A long icicle hung down from the roof.
der Eiszapfen
icicle
der Eiszapfen, die Eiszapfen
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Eiszapfen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Eiszapfen |
| genitive | des Eiszapfens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Eiszapfen | die Eiszapfen |
| accusative | den Eiszapfen | die Eiszapfen |
| dative | dem Eiszapfen | den Eiszapfen |
| genitive | des Eiszapfens | der Eiszapfen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Eiszapfen' (icicle) is made up of 'Eis' (ice) and 'Zapfen' (cone). The second component describes its elongated shape, which tapers downward.
EXAMPLE
Im Sonnenschein glitzerten die Eiszapfen am Dach.
The icicles on the roof glittered in the sunlight.
Typical collocations
Verbs such as 'hängen' (to hang), 'wachsen' (to grow), 'schmelzen' (to melt), and 'abbrechen' (to break off) are often used with 'Eiszapfen' (icicle). 'Gefährliche Eiszapfen' (dangerous icicles) is also a typical collocation because falling masses of ice can injure people.
EXAMPLE
Wegen des Tauwetters begannen die Eiszapfen am Vordach zu schmelzen.
Because of the thaw, the icicles on the porch roof began to melt.
Location phrases
With 'Eiszapfen' (icicle), locations are often expressed with 'an' (on) or 'von' (from): You say that they hang 'an' (on) a roof or fall 'von' (from) a roof.
EXAMPLE
An der Dachrinne hingen mehrere schwere Eiszapfen.
Several heavy icicles hung from the gutter.
In real life
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