die Klaue
claw
The sharp, curved horn nail on the foot of predatory animals or birds of prey.
EXAMPLE
Der Falke packte die Maus mit seinen spitzen Klauen.
The falcon grabbed the mouse with its sharp claws.
die Klaue
claw / hoof
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Meanings
die Klaue
paw / mitt
Colloquial and often derogatory for a person's hand.
EXAMPLE
Nimm deine dreckigen Klauen von meinem Handy!
Get your dirty paws off my phone!
die Klaue
awful handwriting
Colloquial for illegible, scrawly handwriting.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann deine Notizen nicht lesen, du hast eine furchtbare Klaue.
I can't read your notes; you have awful handwriting.
die Klaue
hoof
In zoology, the horn capsule that encloses the tips of the toes in even-toed ungulates, such as cattle, sheep, and pigs.
EXAMPLE
Der Landwirt muss regelmäßig die Klauen seiner Kühe pflegen lassen.
The farmer has to have his cows' hooves cared for regularly.
Usage tips
Context clue: animal type
The type of animal reveals the exact meaning. With predators and birds, such as eagles or cats, it means the sharp claws used for gripping. With farm animals, such as cows or sheep, it means hooves.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze fuhr ihre Klauen aus, als der Hund zu nahe kam.
The cat extended its claws when the dog came too close.
Context clue: humans
When 'Klaue' is used in connection with people, it is always colloquial. 'Eine Klaue haben' refers to illegible handwriting, while the plural 'Klauen' is a derogatory word for hands.
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung für meine Klaue, ich habe schnell geschrieben.
Sorry for my awful handwriting; I was writing quickly.
Register: colloquial
Using 'Klaue' for a human hand is very colloquial and has a negative, often aggressive or derogatory connotation.
EXAMPLE
Hände weg von meinem Essen, du mit deinen Klauen!
Hands off my food, you and your paws!
Fixed expression
The meaning 'bad handwriting' is almost always used in the fixed expression 'eine Klaue haben' (to have awful handwriting). The adjective before it can describe the degree.
EXAMPLE
Mein Arzt hat so eine schreckliche Klaue, ich kann das Rezept nicht lesen.
My doctor has such terrible handwriting that I can't read the prescription.
Compare with
Klaue vs Kralle
claw
Both words can refer to the sharp, curved claw of an animal. Kralle is the more general term for predators, birds, and reptiles, while Klaue particularly suggests a powerful, curved claw of a predator or bird of prey. With such animals, both words are sometimes possible, but the collocation determines the choice.
Klaue
Der Adler schlug seine kräftige Klaue in die Beute und hielt sie fest.
The eagle drove its powerful claw into its prey and held it tightly.
Kralle
Der Adler schloss seine Kralle um den Ast und blieb sicher sitzen.
The eagle closed its claw around the branch and remained securely perched.
In real life
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