die Faser
fiber
A thin, thread-like structure that can be natural (e.g., in plants or muscles) or artificial (e.g., in textiles).
EXAMPLE
Der Pullover ist aus einer sehr weichen Faser gemacht.
The sweater is made from a very soft fiber.
die Faser
fiber
die Faser, die Fasern
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Meanings
die Faser
fiber
Figurative and usually in the plural: the inner strength, character, or moral substance of a person.
EXAMPLE
Er hasste die Ungerechtigkeit mit jeder Faser seines Wesens.
He hated injustice with every fiber of his being.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Faser, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Fasern |
| genitive | der Faser |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Faser | die Fasern |
| accusative | die Faser | die Fasern |
| dative | der Faser | den Fasern |
| genitive | der Faser | der Fasern |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound words
'Faser' (fiber) is a common component of compound nouns. Examples such as 'Glasfaser' (glass fiber/fiber optic), 'Muskelfaser' (muscle fiber), or 'Naturfaser' (natural fiber) show that it can refer to different kinds of thread-like structures.
EXAMPLE
Für schnelles Internet wird heute oft ein Glasfaserkabel verlegt.
For fast internet, fiber-optic cable is often laid today.
Typical collocations
In the literal sense, 'Faser' (fiber) is often combined with adjectives that describe the material. Common combinations are 'natürliche Fasern' (natural fibers), 'synthetische Fasern' (synthetic fibers), or 'feine Fasern' (fine fibers).
EXAMPLE
Leinen besteht aus natürlichen Fasern und ist im Sommer sehr angenehm zu tragen.
Linen consists of natural fibers and is very comfortable to wear in summer.
Fixed expression
The figurative meaning is almost always used in the fixed expression 'mit jeder Faser' (with every fiber) or 'mit allen Fasern' (with all fibers). It expresses that someone feels or does something with their whole being and very intensely.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist mit jeder Faser ihres Körpers eine Kämpferin.
She is a fighter with every fiber of her body.
Compare with
Faser vs Charakter
character
Both words can describe a person's moral substance. Charakter is the normal direct term for this, while Faser usually carries this meaning only in the plural and in a figurative expression. Therefore, normally use Charakter, for example in „menschliche Stärke und Charakter“; Fasern fits in established metaphorical expressions.
Faser
Auch unter Druck bewies sie in jeder Faser ihres Wesens große Ehrlichkeit.
Even under pressure, she showed great honesty in every fiber of her being.
Charakter
Sein Charakter zeigt sich daran, dass er auch unter Druck ehrlich bleibt.
His character is revealed by the fact that he remains honest even under pressure.
In real life
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