donkey
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donkey
A domestic animal related to the horse, with long ears, often used as a pack animal.
In den Bergen transportieren die Bauern ihre Waren oft mit einem Esel.
In the mountains, farmers often transport their goods with a donkey.
idiot
A derogatory term for a stupid, stubborn, or clumsy person.
Du Esel, jetzt hast du das falsche Kabel durchgeschnitten!
You idiot, now you've cut the wrong cable!
trestle / easel
A frame, often made of wood, used to support or hold objects, for example for painters (an easel) or for sawing wood.
Der Zimmermann legte den Balken zum Sägen auf einen hölzernen Esel.
The carpenter placed the beam on a wooden trestle for sawing.
The word 'Esel' (donkey) is the basis for 'Eselsbrücke' (mnemonic). This is a memory aid or a simple trick to remember complex information—literally a 'bridge' for 'stupid' people.
Mit einer Eselsbrücke kann ich mir die Reihenfolge der Planeten merken.
With a mnemonic, I can remember the order of the planets.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Esel' from the context. If it is about animals, farms, or loads, it means the animal. In an argument or when someone has made a mistake, it is an insult. In the context of crafts, painting, or sawing, it means the frame.
Der alte Bauer belud seinen Esel mit Säcken.
The old farmer loaded his donkey with sacks.
The donkey is proverbially known for its stubbornness. The expression 'stur sein wie ein Esel' (to be as stubborn as a donkey) means that someone is very headstrong and does not change their opinion.
Er will einfach nicht nachgeben, er ist stur wie ein Esel.
He simply doesn't want to give in; he's as stubborn as a donkey.
As an insult, 'Esel' (idiot/donkey) is colloquial and is often used as a direct form of address to call someone stupid or clumsy.
Sei doch kein Esel und lies zuerst die Anleitung!
Don't be an idiot—read the instructions first!
The meaning 'Gestell' (frame/stand) belongs to technical language from crafts and art. Not all German speakers know or use the word in this sense.
Zum Holzsägen benutze ich einen stabilen Esel aus Metall.
For sawing wood, I use a sturdy metal trestle.
desire / buck
Bock and Esel can both refer to a stand used to support objects during work. Bock is the general term for this kind of work stand; Esel can also refer to a stand, often made of wood, especially for holding objects while painting or sawing.
Der Tischler legt das Holzstück zum Sägen auf den Esel.
The carpenter places the piece of wood on the trestle to saw it.
Der Tischler legt die schwere Platte zum Bearbeiten auf zwei Böcke.
The carpenter places the heavy panel on two sawhorses to work on it.
