shackle / ankle / pastern
die Fessel, die Fesseln
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shackle
A band, rope, or chain used to bind someone by the hands or feet in order to restrict their freedom of movement.
Der Gefangene versuchte, die Fesseln an seinen Händen zu lösen.
The prisoner tried to remove the shackles from his hands.
constraint / shackle
Something that severely restricts personal freedom or the possibilities for taking action. In this figurative meaning, the word is usually used in the plural.
Sie wollte sich aus den Fesseln gesellschaftlicher Erwartungen befreien.
She wanted to free herself from the shackles of social expectations.
ankle
The narrow part of the human leg immediately above the ankle joint.
Der lange Rock ließ nur ihre schlanken Fesseln und die Schuhe frei.
The long skirt left only her slender ankles and shoes visible.
pastern
In horses and other hoofed animals, the part of the leg between the fetlock joint and the hoof.
Die Tierärztin untersuchte die geschwollene Fessel am rechten Vorderbein des Pferdes.
The veterinarian examined the swollen pastern on the horse's right front leg.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Fesseln |
| genitive | der Fessel |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Fessel | die Fesseln |
| accusative | die Fessel | die Fesseln |
| dative | der Fessel | den Fesseln |
| genitive | der Fessel | der Fesseln |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Fesseln |
| genitive | der Fessel |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Fessel | die Fesseln |
| accusative | die Fessel | die Fesseln |
| dative | der Fessel | den Fesseln |
| genitive | der Fessel | der Fesseln |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
With 'Fessel', the context determines the meaning: words such as 'lösen' (to remove or loosen), 'anlegen' (to put on), or 'befreien' (to free) usually indicate a restraint. In descriptions of the body, 'Fessel' refers to a part of the leg; with horses and other hoofed animals, the context often involves the hoof or leg.
Die Fessel des Gefangenen war fest verschlossen.
The prisoner's shackle was securely fastened.
Beim Putzen bürstete sie auch die Fesseln des Pferdes.
While grooming the horse, she also brushed its pasterns.
For a physical restraint, typical collocations include 'Fesseln anlegen' (to put on shackles), 'Fesseln lösen' (to remove shackles), 'jemanden in Fesseln legen' (to put someone in shackles), and 'sich von den Fesseln befreien' (to free oneself from one's shackles).
Die Polizisten legten dem Verdächtigen Fesseln an.
The police officers put shackles on the suspect.
In its figurative meaning, 'Fessel' is often used in the plural and refers to something that permanently restricts people's freedom. Typical collocations include 'sich aus Fesseln befreien' (to free oneself from shackles) and 'Fesseln sprengen' (to break free from shackles).
Mit diesem Schritt wollte sie die Fesseln ihrer Vergangenheit sprengen.
With this step, she wanted to break free from the shackles of her past.
This sense, referring to the area just above the ankle, occurs mainly in literary or poetic texts and in descriptions of art. 'Fessel' (ankle) is often described with adjectives such as 'schlank' (slender) or 'zart' (delicate).
Das Gemälde zeigt eine Tänzerin mit schlanken Fesseln.
The painting shows a dancer with slender ankles.
With horses and other hoofed animals, 'Fessel' belongs to the technical vocabulary of veterinary medicine and equestrian sports. Typical collocations refer to swelling, an injury, or an examination.
Nach dem Training kühlte der Reiter die verletzte Fessel des Pferdes.
After training, the rider cooled the horse's injured pastern.
