kerzengerade
dead straight
Completely straight, without any bend or deviation.
EXAMPLE
Der Weg führt kerzengerade durch den Wald.
The path runs dead straight through the forest.
kerzengerade
dead straight / bolt upright
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Meanings
kerzengerade
bolt upright
Completely upright and straight, especially when referring to someone's posture.
EXAMPLE
Sie stand kerzengerade vor dem Publikum.
She stood bolt upright in front of the audience.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry kerzengerade, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | kerzengerade |
|---|
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | - | - | - | -n |
| acc. | -n | - | - | -n |
| dat. | -n | -n | -n | -n |
| gen. | -n | -n | -n | -n |
Add the ending to kerzengerade.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -r | - | -s | -n |
| acc. | -n | - | -s | -n |
| dat. | -n | -n | -n | -n |
| gen. | -n | -n | -n | -n |
Add the ending to kerzengerade.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -r | - | -s | - |
| acc. | -n | - | -s | - |
| dat. | -m | -r | -m | -n |
| gen. | -n | -r | -n | -r |
Add the ending to kerzengerade.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Kerzengerade' (dead straight / bolt upright) is made up of 'Kerze' (candle) and 'gerade' (straight). The image helps you remember it: a vertically standing candle is completely straight and without any bend.
EXAMPLE
Der hohe Schornstein ragt kerzengerade in den Himmel.
The tall chimney rises dead straight into the sky.
Typical collocations
When referring to a line or direction, 'kerzengerade' (dead straight) is often used with words such as 'Weg' (path), 'Straße' (road), 'Linie' (line), or 'durch den Wald führen' (to run through the forest). It describes a route without any curve.
EXAMPLE
Die Straße verläuft kerzengerade bis zum nächsten Dorf.
The road runs dead straight as far as the next village.
Posture
When referring to posture, 'kerzengerade' (bolt upright) is often used with verbs such as 'stehen' (to stand), 'sitzen' (to sit), or 'dastehen' (to stand there). The word emphasizes a noticeably upright posture.
EXAMPLE
Während der Untersuchung musste der Patient kerzengerade sitzen.
During the examination, the patient had to sit bolt upright.
In real life
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