01
die Kante
edge
The outer line or sharp border where two surfaces of an object meet.
example
Ich habe mich an der scharfen Kante des Tisches gestoßen.
I bumped myself on the sharp edge of the table.
die Kante
edge
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
Most meanings of 'Kante' (edge) are fixed, colloquial expressions. If you hear phrases like 'hohe Kante' (savings), 'Kante geben' (to dump/fire someone), or 'auf Kante' (cut very close), a figurative meaning is almost always intended.
EXAMPLE
Sei vorsichtig, die Kante des Papiers ist sehr scharf.
Be careful, the edge of the paper is very sharp.
Movement and position
In the literal meaning, the preposition is important. Movement toward an edge is expressed with the accusative ('an die Kante' — to the edge), while a position at an edge is expressed with the dative ('an der Kante' — at the edge).
EXAMPLE
Stell das Glas nicht so nah an die Kante des Tisches!
Don't put the glass so close to the edge of the table!
Fixed expression
The idiom 'etwas auf der hohen Kante haben' is a fixed unit meaning 'to have saved money'. The word 'hoch' (high) is a fixed part of the expression here.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat für ihre Weltreise lange etwas auf der hohen Kante gehabt.
She had saved up money for her trip around the world for a long time.
Dative construction
In the colloquial expression 'jemandem die Kante geben' (to dump/fire someone), the person who is fired or left is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Chef hat ihm wegen seiner Unzuverlässigkeit die Kante gegeben.
The boss fired him because of his unreliability.
Winter sports terminology
This meaning of 'Kante' (edge) is specific to winter sports. It is used only in the context of skiing or snowboarding.
EXAMPLE
Ein guter Skifahrer weiß, wie man die Kanten richtig einsetzt.
A good skier knows how to use the edges correctly.
Compare with
Kante vs Ecke
corner
'die Ecke' and 'die Kante' both have to do with places where surfaces or lines meet. 'Die Ecke' refers more to a point or an area, for example in a room or on a street. 'Die Kante' refers more to the edge or line of an object, often something sharp or hard. Learners confuse the words because both can occur with furniture, walls, or objects. As a simple guide: you can stand in an 'Ecke'; you can bump yourself on a 'Kante'.
Kante
Am Bahnhof habe ich mich an der Kante der Bank gestoßen.
At the train station, I bumped into the edge of the bench.
Ecke
Die Tasche steht in der Ecke neben dem Schrank.
The bag is in the corner next to the cabinet.
In real life
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