die Faust
fist
The closed hand, with the fingers clenched tightly into the palm.
EXAMPLE
Aus Wut schlug er mit der Faust auf den Tisch.
Out of anger, he hit the table with his fist.
die Faust
fist
die Faust, die Fäuste
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Meanings
auf eigene Faust
on one's own
To do something independently, without instructions or help from others.
EXAMPLE
Da niemand mitkommen wollte, erkundete sie die Stadt auf eigene Faust.
Since no one wanted to come along, she explored the city on her own.
etwas faustdick hinter den Ohren haben
to be crafty
To be very clever, cunning, or sly, even though one may appear harmless.
EXAMPLE
Der Junge sieht zwar unschuldig aus, aber er hat es faustdick hinter den Ohren.
The boy may look innocent, but he's craftier than he looks.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Faust, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Fäuste |
| genitive | der Faust |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Faust | die Fäuste |
| accusative | die Faust | die Fäuste |
| dative | der Faust | den Fäusten |
| genitive | der Faust | der Fäuste |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'Faust' (fist) is often combined with certain verbs. Common expressions are 'die Faust ballen' (to clench one's fist), 'mit der Faust drohen' (to threaten with one's fist), or 'eine Faust machen' (to make a fist).
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Kampf ballte der Boxer die Fäuste.
Before the fight, the boxer clenched his fists.
Fixed expression
The expression 'auf eigene Faust' (on one's own) is very common and means that someone does something independently and without help or instructions. The expression is grammatically fixed and is not changed.
EXAMPLE
Er beschloss, das Problem auf eigene Faust zu lösen.
He decided to solve the problem on his own.
Fixed expression
The expression 'es faustdick hinter den Ohren haben' describes a person who is very clever or cunning. The 'es' is a fixed part of the expression.
EXAMPLE
Lass dich von ihrem Lächeln nicht täuschen, sie hat es faustdick hinter den Ohren.
Don't be fooled by her smile; she's craftier than she looks.
In real life
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