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
der Flügel
wing
The lateral supporting surface of an airplane.
EXAMPLE
Durch das Fenster konnte man die Turbine am Flügel des Flugzeugs sehen.
Through the window, you could see the turbine on the wing of the airplane.
der Flügel
wing
A side section of a building that extends out from the main part.
EXAMPLE
Die Büros der Verwaltung befinden sich im Westflügel des Schlosses.
The administration offices are located in the west wing of the castle.
der Flügel
grand piano
A large keyboard instrument in which the strings are stretched horizontally inside a wing-shaped body; a concert piano.
EXAMPLE
Die Pianistin spielte die Sonate auf einem großen, schwarzen Flügel.
The pianist played the sonata on a large black grand piano.
der Flügel
wing
A particular political or ideological current within a party or organization.
EXAMPLE
Der konservative Flügel der Partei stimmte gegen den Vorschlag.
The conservative wing of the party voted against the proposal.
der Flügel
wing
The side area of a playing field, especially in soccer, handball, or ice hockey.
EXAMPLE
Der Stürmer lief über den linken Flügel und flankte den Ball in die Mitte.
The striker ran down the left wing and crossed the ball into the middle.
der Flügel
casement / leaf
One of the movable parts of a door, window, or gate that consists of several parts.
EXAMPLE
Bitte schließe beide Flügel des Fensters, es zieht.
Please close both casements of the window; there's a draft.
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 Fraktion
faction
Here, a Fraktion is a recognizable group within a larger organization whose members act together. A Flügel refers more to a political or ideological tendency within the organization. Fraktion is the right term for a specific group, while Flügel is more appropriate for a current such as the left or right wing.
Flügel
Der linke Flügel der Partei kritisierte den Vorschlag aus ideologischen Gründen.
The left wing of the party criticized the proposal for ideological reasons.
Fraktion
In der Partei bildete sich eine kleine Fraktion, die gemeinsam gegen den Vorschlag stimmte.
A small faction formed within the party and voted together against the proposal.
In real life
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