der Klee
clover
A widespread fodder plant with mostly three-part leaves.
EXAMPLE
Die Kühe weiden auf einer Wiese voller saftigem Klee.
The cows are grazing in a meadow full of juicy clover.
der Klee
clover
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
der Klee
four-leaf clover
As a short form for four-leaf clover, which is considered a symbol of good luck.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat im Urlaub einen vierblättrigen Klee gefunden und ihn als Glücksbringer getrocknet.
She found a four-leaf clover on vacation and dried it as a lucky charm.
jemanden/etwas über den grünen Klee loben
to praise to the skies
To praise someone or something excessively and enthusiastically.
EXAMPLE
Der Kritiker hat den neuen Roman über den grünen Klee gelobt.
The critic praised the new novel to the skies.
Usage tips
Word family
'Klee' (clover) refers to the whole plant. A single leaf of it is called 'Kleeblatt' (clover leaf). This distinction is useful for understanding related words.
EXAMPLE
Auf der Wiese wächst überall Klee.
Clover is growing everywhere in the meadow.
Context clue
When 'Klee' (clover) is meant as a symbol of good luck, the adjective 'vierblättrig' (four-leaf) is almost always added. Without this addition, the ordinary plant is usually meant.
EXAMPLE
Ein vierblättriger Klee soll Glück bringen.
A four-leaf clover is supposed to bring good luck.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'jemanden/etwas über den grünen Klee loben' (to praise someone/something to the skies) is a fixed expression. The object being praised is in the accusative. The form of the idiom itself does not change.
EXAMPLE
Sie lobte ihren neuen Mitarbeiter über den grünen Klee.
She praised her new employee to the skies.
Compare with
Klee vs Kleeblatt
cloverleaf
Klee refers to the whole plant, while Kleeblatt refers only to its characteristic leaf. So when talking about the plant growing in a meadow, Klee is the appropriate word; when referring to a single leaf on it, Kleeblatt is the right choice.
Klee
Auf der Wiese wächst zwischen dem Gras viel Klee.
A lot of clover grows among the grass in the meadow.
Kleeblatt
Auf der Wiese betrachtet Mia ein Kleeblatt mit drei Blättchen.
In the meadow, Mia examines a cloverleaf with three leaflets.
In real life
Loading video examples...