heften
to staple
To join several sheets of paper with a staple, usually using a stapler.
EXAMPLE
Könntest du mir die Dokumente bitte in der richtigen Reihenfolge heften?
Could you please staple the documents for me in the correct order?
heften
to staple / baste
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Meanings
heften
to baste
To sew pieces of fabric together temporarily with large, loose stitches before the final sewing.
EXAMPLE
Die Schneiderin heftet zuerst das Kleid, um die Passform zu prüfen.
The tailor first bastes the dress to check the fit.
den Blick auf etwas heften
to fix one's gaze
To direct one's gaze firmly and motionlessly at a person or object.
EXAMPLE
Er saß am Fenster und heftete seinen Blick auf die vorbeiziehenden Wolken.
He sat by the window and fixed his gaze on the passing clouds.
sich an jemandes Fersen heften
to follow closely
To follow someone closely and persistently; to pursue someone.
EXAMPLE
Der Detektiv heftete sich an die Fersen des Verdächtigen.
The detective followed closely on the suspect's heels.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'heften' (to staple/baste) is related to the noun 'das Heft' (notebook). Both share the basic idea of fastening or joining something together.
EXAMPLE
Die losen Blätter wurden zu einem kleinen Heft geheftet.
The loose sheets were stapled into a small booklet.
Typical collocations
When it comes to paper, 'heften' (to staple) is often used with objects such as 'Dokumente' (documents), 'Rechnungen' (invoices), or 'lose Blätter' (loose sheets). You can also say that you staple something 'zusammen' (together).
EXAMPLE
Bitte hefte alle Rechnungen für die Buchhaltung zusammen.
Please staple all the invoices together for accounting.
Technical term
In the meaning 'provisorisch nähen' (to sew temporarily), 'heften' (to baste) is a technical term from tailoring and sewing.
EXAMPLE
Bevor ich die Hose richtig nähe, hefte ich sie nur schnell, um die Länge zu prüfen.
Before I sew the pants properly, I'll just baste them quickly to check the length.
Fixed expression
The expression 'den Blick auf etwas heften' (to fix one's gaze on something) is fixed. The object is always 'der Blick' (the gaze), and the direction is indicated with the preposition 'auf' plus accusative.
EXAMPLE
Das Kind heftete seinen Blick auf das bunte Spielzeug im Schaufenster.
The child fixed his gaze on the colorful toy in the shop window.
Fixed expression
This meaning is used in the fixed reflexive expression 'sich an jemandes Fersen heften' (to follow closely on someone's heels). It expresses persistent pursuit.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei heftete sich sofort an die Fersen des flüchtigen Bankräubers.
The police immediately followed closely on the fleeing bank robber's heels.
Compare with
heften vs anstecken
to infect / pin on / set fire to
With paper, anstecken means attaching a note to something else with a needle or pin. heften, by contrast, means joining several sheets together with a staple.
heften
Lara heftet die drei Blätter mit einer Heftklammer zusammen.
Lara stapled the three sheets together.
anstecken
Lara steckt den Zettel mit einer Nadel an die Pinnwand.
Lara pinned the note to the bulletin board with a pin.
In real life
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