putty / glue
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putty
A soft, malleable substance used for sealing joints and fastening panes of glass in window frames. The putty hardens in the air and becomes solid.
Der Glaser ersetzte die zerbrochene Scheibe und befestigte sie mit neuem Kitt im Rahmen.
The glazier replaced the broken pane and secured it in the frame with new putty.
glue
In a figurative sense, something that holds a group, relationship, or society together. It refers to social or emotional cohesion.
Gemeinsame Traditionen sind oft der Kitt, der eine Gemeinschaft zusammenhält.
Shared traditions are often the glue that holds a community together.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about crafts, windows, joints, or glass, it means the sealing compound. If people are talking about society, family, or relationships, it means social cohesion.
Der Handwerker dichtet das Fenster mit Kitt ab.
The craftsman seals the window with putty.
In a crafts context, 'Kitt' (putty) is often used with verbs such as 'auftragen' (to apply), 'entfernen' (to remove), 'abdichten' (to seal), or 'befestigen' (to fasten).
Du musst den alten, brüchigen Kitt zuerst entfernen.
You have to remove the old, brittle putty first.
In the figurative meaning, 'Kitt' (glue) is often used with the verb 'sein' (to be) or 'bilden' (to form). Typical phrases are 'der soziale Kitt' (the social glue) or 'der Kitt der Gesellschaft' (the glue of society).
Für viele ist die Familie der wichtigste Kitt im Leben.
For many people, family is the most important glue in life.
The figurative meaning of 'Kitt' (glue) is often used in journalistic, sociological, or more sophisticated texts to describe social cohesion.
Der Autor beschreibt, wie Musik als Kitt zwischen den Kulturen wirken kann.
The author describes how music can act as a glue between cultures.
cohesion / solidarity
“Der Zusammenhalt” and “der Kitt” can describe what holds a group together. “Der Zusammenhalt” refers to the existing state of unity and support, while “der Kitt” is a metaphor for the binding force that maintains this unity. Use “Zusammenhalt” when talking about the group itself and “Kitt” when talking about the foundation that binds it together.
Gemeinsame Erinnerungen waren für die Familie der Kitt, der sie nach dem Streit verband.
Shared memories were the glue that held the family together after the argument.
Der Zusammenhalt der Familie blieb auch nach dem Streit bestehen.
The family’s cohesion remained intact even after the argument.
