01
der Flügel
wing
The body part with which birds, insects, or bats fly.
example
Der Adler breitete seine mächtigen Flügel aus und erhob sich in die Luft.
The eagle spread its powerful wings and rose into the air.
der Flügel
wing / grand piano
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Meanings
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Usage tips
The central metaphor
Almost all meanings of 'Flügel' (wing) are based on the idea of a side part that extends from a central body. This idea connects the wing of a bird, an airplane, a building, and even a political party.
EXAMPLE
Der Vogel verletzt sich am Flügel und kann nicht mehr fliegen.
The bird injures its wing and can no longer fly.
Context clue
The context makes the meaning clear. Verbs like 'fliegen' (to fly) or 'schlagen' (to beat/flap) point to animals or airplanes. Words like 'Gebäude' (building) or 'Schloss' (castle) point to architecture, and 'Partei' (party) to politics.
EXAMPLE
Der Vogel schlägt mit den Flügeln.
The bird flaps its wings.
Typical verbs
When referring to an animal's wing, the typical verbs are 'mit den Flügeln schlagen' (to flap one's wings) and 'die Flügel ausbreiten' (to spread one's wings).
EXAMPLE
Der Schmetterling schlug sanft mit seinen bunten Flügeln.
The butterfly gently flapped its colorful wings.
Context: buildings
For buildings, 'Flügel' (wing) is often combined with a compass direction to name a specific part. Typical examples are 'Nordflügel' (north wing), 'Südflügel' (south wing), 'Ostflügel' (east wing), and 'Westflügel' (west wing).
EXAMPLE
Die Ausstellung befindet sich im Ostflügel des Museums.
The exhibition is located in the east wing of the museum.
Context: music
You can recognize the meaning 'Klavier' (piano) from verbs like 'spielen' (to play) or nouns like 'Konzert' (concert), 'Pianist' (pianist), or 'Tasten' (keys). The instrument is called this because its shape resembles a spread wing.
EXAMPLE
Er setzte sich an den Flügel und begann zu spielen.
He sat down at the grand piano and began to play.
Context: politics
In politics, 'Flügel' (wing) is almost always combined with a direction. People speak of the 'linken Flügel' (left wing), 'rechten Flügel' (right wing), or 'liberalen/konservativen Flügel' (liberal/conservative wing) of a party.
EXAMPLE
Der rechte Flügel der Fraktion lehnte den Kompromiss ab.
The right wing of the parliamentary group rejected the compromise.
Context: sports
In sports, especially soccer, 'Flügel' (wing) refers to the outside areas of the field. People often speak of the 'linken' (left) or 'rechten Flügel' (right wing) and of 'Flügelspielern' (wingers).
EXAMPLE
Der Angriff erfolgte über den rechten Flügel.
The attack came down the right wing.
Compare with
Flügel vs Lager
warehouse / camp
'das Lager' and 'der Flügel' can both mean a group with a particular political or ideological direction. 'Lager' sounds broader: it often describes a larger side that stands opposed to another side, for example the left-wing and right-wing camps. 'Flügel' more often means a current within a party or organization. Learners may confuse the words because both are about political groups. As a guide: one 'Lager' often stands against another 'Lager'; a 'Flügel' is usually only one part of a larger group.
Flügel
Der soziale Flügel der Partei fordert höhere Löhne.
The social wing of the party is calling for higher wages.
Lager
Nach der Wahl war das politische Lager der Regierung deutlich geschwächt.
After the election, the government's political camp was clearly weakened.
In real life
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