01
die Feder
feather
One of the light, horn-like structures that cover the skin of birds and enable them to fly.
example
Das Kind hat eine bunte Feder vom Pfau gefunden.
The child found a colorful feather from a peacock.
die Feder
feather / spring
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clues
The three main meanings of 'Feder' (feather / spring) can be distinguished well by context. In connection with birds, pillows, or lightness, it refers to a bird feather. In technology, machines, or vehicles, it means a metal spring. In the context of literature and writing, it refers to a quill or authorship.
EXAMPLE
Das Kissen ist mit weichen Federn gefüllt.
The pillow is filled with soft feathers.
Word family
The word family shows the core qualities of 'Feder' (feather / spring). The adjective 'federleicht' (light as a feather) describes something very light. The verb 'federn' means to absorb a shock elastically, which points to the function of the metal spring.
EXAMPLE
Die neue Jacke ist federleicht und trotzdem warm.
The new jacket is light as a feather and still warm.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'sich mit fremden Federn schmücken' means that someone presents another person's achievement or ideas as their own in order to make themselves look better.
EXAMPLE
Er hat die Idee von seiner Kollegin geklaut und schmückt sich jetzt mit fremden Federn.
He stole the idea from his colleague and is now taking credit for someone else's work.
Typical context
In the technical sense, you often find 'Feder' (spring) in everyday objects. Typical contexts are the spring in a mattress, in a ballpoint pen, or as part of a vehicle's suspension.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Matratze ist durchgelegen, weil die Federn darin müde sind.
The old mattress is sagging because the springs inside it are worn out.
Register and usage
The expression 'aus jemandes Feder stammen' (to come from someone's pen) is an elevated and slightly figurative way to express authorship. It is used mainly in written language to say who wrote or composed something.
EXAMPLE
Man erkennt sofort, dass dieser kritische Kommentar aus ihrer Feder stammt.
You can immediately tell that this critical commentary comes from her pen.
Compare with
Feder vs Schreibstil
writing style
'Feder' and 'Schreibstil' can be connected in the context of texts. Here, 'Feder' does not mean a bird's feather, but is used figuratively for writing or authorship, for example in the phrase 'aus jemandes Feder' (from someone's pen). 'Schreibstil' describes more precisely how someone writes: which words, which tone, and which sentence structure a person uses. If the point is who a text comes from, 'Feder' fits. If the point is how the text sounds or is structured, 'Schreibstil' fits.
Feder
Der kurze Kommentar stammt aus der Feder einer bekannten Journalistin.
The short commentary comes from the pen of a well-known journalist.
Schreibstil
Sein Schreibstil ist klar und freundlich, deshalb lese ich seine Texte gern.
His writing style is clear and friendly, so I enjoy reading his texts.
In real life
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