glass ball / crystal ball
die Glaskugel, die Glaskugeln
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glass ball
A transparent or lightly tinted ball made of glass, used as decoration or as part of an object.
Auf dem Tisch stand eine große Glaskugel mit eingeschlossenen Luftblasen.
A large glass ball with air bubbles trapped inside stood on the table.
crystal ball
A crystal ball that fortune tellers supposedly use to predict the future. The expression is also used ironically when someone cannot know the future for certain.
Für die genaue Entwicklung der Preise kann niemand in die Glaskugel schauen.
No one can look into a crystal ball to know exactly how prices will develop.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Glaskugeln |
| genitive | der Glaskugel |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Glaskugel | die Glaskugeln |
| accusative | die Glaskugel | die Glaskugeln |
| dative | der Glaskugel | den Glaskugeln |
| genitive | der Glaskugel | der Glaskugeln |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Glaskugel' (glass ball / crystal ball) is made up of 'Glas' (glass) and 'Kugel' (ball / sphere). The head noun 'Kugel' indicates the shape; 'Glas' describes the material.
Die Glaskugel reflektierte das Licht aus dem Fenster.
The glass ball reflected the light from the window.
When referring to a physical object, words describing material, appearance, or location often appear nearby, such as 'aus Glas' (made of glass), 'auf dem Tisch' (on the table), or 'zerbrechlich' (fragile). When discussing uncertain predictions about the future, the phrase 'in die Glaskugel schauen' (to look into a crystal ball) points to the figurative meaning.
Die zerbrechliche Glaskugel lag sicher verpackt im Karton.
The fragile glass ball was safely packed in the cardboard box.
Wer die Zinsen der nächsten Jahre vorhersagen will, müsste in die Glaskugel schauen.
Anyone wanting to predict interest rates for the coming years would have to look into a crystal ball.
In its figurative sense, 'Glaskugel' (crystal ball) is often used in the expressions 'in die Glaskugel schauen' or 'in die Glaskugel blicken' (to look into a crystal ball). These expressions refer to predictions about the future whose accuracy is uncertain.
Ob der Konflikt eskaliert, weiß niemand; dafür müsste man schon in die Glaskugel blicken.
No one knows whether the conflict will escalate; you'd need to look into a crystal ball for that.
