notch
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notch
A V-shaped or U-shaped cut in the surface of a material, often used as a mark or for counting.
Für jeden erledigten Tag ritzte der Gefangene eine weitere Kerbe in die Wand seiner Zelle.
For every day completed, the prisoner scratched another notch into the wall of his cell.
The noun 'die Kerbe' (notch) is derived directly from the verb 'kerben' (to notch / to make a cut). If you know what 'kerben' means, you can easily work out the meaning of 'Kerbe'.
Er kerbte seinen Namen in die Baumrinde.
He carved his name into the tree bark.
To describe the creation of a notch, the verbs 'ritzen' (to scratch), 'schnitzen' (to carve), or 'schneiden' (to cut) are often used. The action is usually precise and intentional.
Mit seinem Messer schnitzte er eine kleine Kerbe in den Ast.
With his knife, he carved a small notch into the branch.
The idiom 'in die gleiche Kerbe schlagen' (to strike the same notch) is very common. It means that someone expresses the same opinion or supports an argument. The wording is largely fixed.
Die Finanzministerin schlug in die gleiche Kerbe wie der Kanzler und sprach sich für Sparmaßnahmen aus.
The finance minister said the same thing as the chancellor and spoke in favor of austerity measures.
cut
'der Schnitt' and 'die Kerbe' can both refer to a mark in a material caused by cutting or scratching. 'Schnitt' is more general and can also be an open spot or injury. 'Kerbe' more precisely means a small indentation in a surface, often V-shaped or U-shaped. It usually remains visible as a mark. Learners may confuse the words because both can be made with a knife or a tool. For a wound, you are more likely to say 'Schnitt'; for a small groove in wood or metal, 'Kerbe' is more likely.
Wir machen eine kleine Kerbe in den Stock, damit wir die Stelle wiederfinden.
We make a small notch in the stick so that we can find the spot again.
Der Schnitt im Stoff ist leider zu lang geworden.
Unfortunately, the cut in the fabric turned out too long.