der Filz
felt
A dense, non-woven textile made from animal hair or other fibers using pressure, moisture, and heat.
EXAMPLE
Für meine Bastelarbeit habe ich einen Bogen aus grünem Filz gekauft.
For my craft project, I bought a sheet of green felt.
der Filz
felt
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Meanings
der Filz
crony network
A derogatory term for an opaque network of personal relationships and mutual favors, especially in politics and business, that is perceived as corrupt.
EXAMPLE
In der Stadtverwaltung herrscht ein Filz aus alten Seilschaften, der kaum zu durchbrechen ist.
In the city administration, there is a crony network of old connections that is almost impossible to break through.
Usage tips
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from context. If it is about crafts, clothing, or material, it refers to the fabric. In texts about politics or business where corruption is involved, the negative, figurative meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Für den Hut wurde dicker, grauer Filz verwendet.
Thick gray felt was used for the hat.
Register and style
In its figurative meaning, 'Filz' (crony network) is a strongly derogatory word. It is used to sharply criticize opaque networks in politics or business that are perceived as unfair.
EXAMPLE
Die Opposition sprach von einem „Filz aus alten Freundschaften“, der die Vergabe von Aufträgen beeinflusse.
The opposition spoke of a 'network of old friendships' that was influencing the awarding of contracts.
Typical collocations
When referring to the material, 'Filz' (felt) is often used with the prepositions 'aus' (made of/from) or 'mit' (with). Typical combinations are 'ein Hut aus Filz' (a hat made of felt), 'Pantoffeln aus Filz' (slippers made of felt), or 'mit Filz basteln' (to do crafts with felt).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder haben im Kindergarten mit buntem Filz gebastelt.
The children did crafts with colorful felt at kindergarten.
Sentence structure and usage patterns
In the figurative meaning, the structure 'ein Filz aus ...' (a crony network of ...) is often used to describe what the corrupt network consists of. Typical phrases are 'ein Filz aus Korruption' (a network of corruption), 'ein Filz aus Seilschaften' (a network of old-boy connections), or 'ein Filz aus Gefälligkeiten' (a network of favors).
EXAMPLE
Es herrschte ein Filz aus persönlichen Interessen und politischer Macht.
There was a crony network of personal interests and political power.
Compare with
Filz vs Vlies
fleece / nonwoven fabric
Filz and Vlies are non-woven materials made of fibers. Felt is created by compacting the fibers with pressure, moisture, and heat. Vlies is the more general term for a layer of interconnected fibers, used, for example, in gardening or clothing.
Filz
Durch Feuchtigkeit, Wärme und kräftiges Pressen entsteht aus den Fasern dichter Filz.
Moisture, heat, and strong pressure turn the fibers into dense felt.
Vlies
Aus miteinander verbundenen, nicht gewebten Fasern entsteht ein leichtes Vlies.
Interconnected, non-woven fibers form a lightweight nonwoven fabric.
In real life
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