der Kanal
canal
An artificially constructed waterway for ships or for irrigation.
EXAMPLE
Der Panamakanal verbindet den Atlantik mit dem Pazifik.
The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic with the Pacific.
der Kanal
canal / channel
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Meanings
der Kanal
channel
A transmission path for information, especially a television or radio program or a social media profile.
EXAMPLE
Auf welchem Kanal läuft heute Abend der Krimi?
What channel is the crime show on tonight?
der Kanal
sewer
An underground pipe for draining wastewater.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem starken Regen war der Kanal verstopft.
After the heavy rain, the sewer was blocked.
der Kanal
canal
In anatomy or medicine, a tube-shaped structure or passage in the body.
EXAMPLE
Bei der Behandlung musste der Wurzelkanal des Zahns gereinigt werden.
During the treatment, the root canal of the tooth had to be cleaned.
Usage tips
Context clue
The exact meaning of 'Kanal' (canal/channel/sewer) is almost always clear from the context. Words like 'Schiff' (ship) or 'Wasser' (water) point to a waterway, 'Fernseher' (television) or 'senden' (to broadcast) to a TV channel, and 'Abwasser' (wastewater) to the sewer system.
EXAMPLE
Das Boot fährt langsam durch den schmalen Kanal.
The boat moves slowly through the narrow canal.
Sentence structure and usage
When talking about media such as television, radio, or social media, the preposition 'auf' (on) is used. You watch something 'auf einem Kanal' (on a channel) or publish something 'auf seinem Kanal' (on your/his channel).
EXAMPLE
Der Film läuft heute Abend auf Kanal 4.
The film is on Channel 4 tonight.
Colloquial usage
In everyday language, 'Kanal' (sewer) is the usual word for the underground pipe that carries away wastewater. It is used in connection with blockages, repairs, or heavy rain.
EXAMPLE
Die Straße ist überflutet, weil der Kanal das viele Wasser nicht aufnehmen kann.
The street is flooded because the sewer cannot handle all the water.
Technical language
In medicine or biology, 'Kanal' (canal) refers to a tube-shaped structure in the body. You hear this word, for example, at the dentist in connection with a 'Wurzelkanalbehandlung' (root canal treatment).
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt erklärte, dass der Nervenkanal entzündet sei.
The doctor explained that the nerve canal was inflamed.
Compare with
Kanal vs Gang
hallway / course / gear
Gang and Kanal can both refer to a tube-shaped structure in the body in medical contexts. Which word is appropriate depends on the established name of the particular anatomical structure, so the words are not freely interchangeable.
Kanal
Auf dem Bild zeigt die Ärztin den engen Kanal, in dem der Nerv verläuft.
In the image, the doctor points to the narrow canal in which the nerve runs.
Gang
Auf dem Bild zeigt die Ärztin den engen Gang, durch den das Sekret fließt.
In the image, the doctor points to the narrow passage through which the secretion flows.
In real life
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