grenade / bombshell
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grenade
A hollow object filled with explosives that is fired as a projectile from a weapon or thrown by hand.
Bei Bauarbeiten wurde eine Granate aus dem Zweiten Weltkrieg gefunden und musste entschärft werden.
During construction work, a grenade from the Second World War was found and had to be defused.
bombshell
Colloquial term for an extraordinarily attractive person, usually a woman.
Hast du seine neue Freundin gesehen? Sie ist eine absolute Granate!
Have you seen his new girlfriend? She's an absolute bombshell!
absolute hit
Colloquial term for something that is exceptionally good, impressive, or successful.
Das Konzert gestern Abend war die reinste Granate.
The concert last night was an absolute hit.
The meaning of 'Granate' depends heavily on the context. In a military or historical context, it refers to the weapon. In colloquial speech, it usually refers to something or someone perceived as extraordinary.
Die Soldaten warfen eine Granate.
The soldiers threw a grenade.
The word 'Granate' (grenade) derives from 'Granatapfel' (pomegranate). Early grenades had a similar shape to the fruit and were filled with many small metal pieces that recalled the seeds of the apple.
Die alte Granate musste vom Kampfmittelräumdienst entschärft werden.
The old grenade had to be defused by the bomb disposal service.
In the literal meaning as a weapon, 'Granate' (grenade) is often combined with verbs such as 'werfen' (to throw), 'abfeuern' (to fire), 'explodieren' (to explode), or 'entschärfen' (to defuse).
Der Panzer feuerte eine Granate auf das feindliche Ziel ab.
The tank fired a grenade at the enemy target.
This use for an attractive person is very colloquial. It expresses strong admiration, but depending on the situation it can also be perceived as superficial or inappropriate.
Alle schauten sich nach ihr um, sie war eine echte Granate.
Everyone turned to look at her; she was a real bombshell.
Colloquially, 'Granate' is used to describe a thing or experience as fantastic. It is often intensified by words like 'absolut' (absolute), 'echt' (real), or 'rein' (pure).
Sein neues Album ist eine Granate, jedes Lied ist ein Hit.
His new album is an absolute hit; every song is a hit.
hammer
Both words can colloquially express strong praise for something extraordinary. „Der Hammer“ generally evaluates something as unbelievable or impressive, while „eine Granate“ more strongly refers to an outstanding example or an exceptionally good achievement. Use „der Hammer“ for the evaluation, and „eine Granate“ for the particularly strong result.
Die neue Aufführung war eine echte Granate.
The new performance was a real hit.
Die neue Aufführung war für das Publikum der Hammer.
The new performance was amazing for the audience.
