to fold
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to fold
To bring a flat, flexible material such as paper or fabric into a new shape or make it smaller by bending it.
Er faltete den Brief sorgfältig und steckte ihn in den Umschlag.
He carefully folded the letter and put it into the envelope.
The verb 'falten' (to fold) is the action that leads to the noun 'die Falte' (a crease or a wrinkle). So when you fold something, you create folds or creases.
Nach dem Waschen lege ich die Wäsche nicht sofort in den Schrank, ich muss sie erst falten.
After washing, I don't put the laundry straight into the closet; I have to fold it first.
'Falten' (to fold) is the base for other verbs. 'Zusammenfalten' means to fold something compactly, while 'entfalten' means the opposite, namely to open up something that has been folded.
Kannst du mir helfen, das große Laken zusammenzufalten?
Can you help me fold up the large sheet?
In everyday life, 'falten' (to fold) is often used with materials such as paper, fabric, or clothing. Typical combinations are 'Wäsche falten' (to fold laundry), 'einen Plan falten' (to fold a map), or 'eine Serviette falten' (to fold a napkin).
Für das Origami-Projekt müssen wir das Papier sehr genau falten.
For the origami project, we have to fold the paper very precisely.
The expression 'die Hände falten' (to fold one's hands) is a fixed combination. It describes a typical gesture often associated with praying, thinking, or quiet expectation.
Das Kind saß still da und hatte die Hände gefaltet.
The child sat there quietly with their hands folded.
to work / to fold
'klappen' and 'falten' can both mean that something is bent or folded over. 'Falten' is used mainly with flexible material such as paper, fabric, or clothing. This often creates folds or creases. 'Klappen' fits better when part of an object is folded down, closed, or opened, for example a flap, a lid, or a seat. Learners may confuse the words because both describe a movement inward or toward each other. Remember: you use 'falten' with paper and fabric; you use 'klappen' to fold down or close a lid or seat.
Sofia faltet den Brief sorgfältig und steckt ihn in den Umschlag.
Sofia carefully folds the letter and puts it into the envelope.
Im Zug klappt Tom den kleinen Tisch vor sich herunter.
On the train, Tom folds down the small table in front of him.