der Kamin
fireplace
An open hearth inside a house that is used for heating and for creating a cozy atmosphere.
EXAMPLE
An kalten Winterabenden sitzen wir gerne vor dem Kamin.
On cold winter evenings, we like to sit in front of the fireplace.
der Kamin
fireplace / chimney
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Meanings
der Kamin
chimney
The chimney; the structural feature on the roof of a building through which smoke and exhaust gases are directed outside.
EXAMPLE
Der Rauch stieg aus dem Kamin des kleinen Hauses auf.
Smoke rose from the chimney of the little house.
Usage tips
Context clue
The word 'Kamin' has two meanings that the context clearly distinguishes. If people are talking about coziness, fire, and the inside of a house, the fireplace is meant. If it is about smoke, the roof, or the outside of a house, the chimney is meant.
EXAMPLE
Wir machten ein Feuer im Kamin, um das Wohnzimmer zu heizen.
We made a fire in the fireplace to heat the living room.
Typical collocations
When the fireplace is meant, 'Kamin' is often connected with cozy situations. Typical phrases are 'vor dem Kamin sitzen' (to sit in front of the fireplace), 'ein Feuer im Kamin machen' (to make a fire in the fireplace), or 'das knisternde Kaminfeuer genießen' (to enjoy the crackling fire in the fireplace).
EXAMPLE
Die Familie versammelte sich am Abend vor dem knisternden Kamin.
In the evening, the family gathered in front of the crackling fireplace.
Use as chimney
In the meaning of 'Schornstein' (chimney), the word describes the structure on the roof. Common formulations are 'der Rauch steigt aus dem Kamin' (the smoke rises from the chimney) or 'der Kamin muss gereinigt werden' (the chimney has to be cleaned).
EXAMPLE
Man konnte schon von Weitem sehen, wie der Kamin des Hauses rauchte.
You could see from far away that the chimney of the house was smoking.
Compare with
Kamin vs Schornstein
chimney
Kamin can also refer to the structural feature that carries smoke outside, but it is often associated with the open fireplace inside a house. Schornstein clearly refers to the device used to remove smoke and exhaust gases. Schornstein is therefore clearer for this part of a building.
Kamin
Der Rauch der Heizung zieht durch den Kamin nach draußen.
The smoke from the heating system goes outside through the chimney.
Schornstein
Der Rauch der Heizung zieht durch den Schornstein nach draußen.
The smoke from the heating system goes outside through the chimney.
In real life
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