die Glätte
slipperiness
A slippery condition of surfaces, especially roads, caused by ice, frost, or wetness.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei warnt vor Glätte auf den Brücken.
The police are warning of slippery conditions on the bridges.
die Glätte
slipperiness / smoothness
die Glätte
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Meanings
die Glätte
smoothness
The quality of a surface being even and without irregularities.
EXAMPLE
Die Glätte des Marmorbodens beeindruckte die Besucher.
The smoothness of the marble floor impressed the visitors.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Glätte, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| genitive | der Glätte |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Glätte | – |
| accusative | die Glätte | – |
| dative | der Glätte | – |
| genitive | der Glätte | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'die Glätte' (slipperiness/smoothness) is derived directly from the adjective 'glatt' (smooth/slippery). So it describes the quality or state of being 'glatt' (smooth/slippery), whether slippery or even.
EXAMPLE
Das Eis auf dem See ist heute spiegelglatt.
The ice on the lake is mirror-smooth today.
Context clue
You can easily recognize the meaning from context. In connection with weather, traffic, and winter, it refers to slipperiness. When it is about the texture or condition of materials like wood, stone, or skin, it refers to an even surface.
EXAMPLE
Fahr vorsichtig, es herrscht Glätte auf den Straßen!
Drive carefully, there are slippery conditions on the roads!
Ich bewundere die Glätte der polierten Holzoberfläche.
I admire the smoothness of the polished wooden surface.
Typical collocations
In connection with the weather, people often say 'vor Glätte warnen' (to warn of slippery conditions) or 'es herrscht Glätte' (there are slippery conditions). People also speak of 'Blitzeis' (black ice/sudden ice) or 'Eisglätte' (icy conditions) to specify the cause.
EXAMPLE
Wegen der plötzlichen Glätte kam es zu mehreren Unfällen.
Because of the sudden slippery conditions, there were several accidents.
Der Wetterdienst warnt für die kommende Nacht vor Glätte.
The weather service is warning of slippery conditions for the coming night.
Describing a quality
When referring to the quality of a surface, 'Glätte' (smoothness) is often used with the genitive or the preposition 'von' (of) to name the material. For example, people speak of 'der Glätte des Papiers' (the smoothness of the paper) or 'der Glätte von Seide' (the smoothness of silk).
EXAMPLE
Die Glätte des Seidenstoffs fühlt sich sehr angenehm an.
The smoothness of the silk fabric feels very pleasant.
In real life
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