cloverleaf
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cloverleaf
The leaf of the clover plant, which characteristically consists of three individual leaflets.
Ein vierblättriges Kleeblatt ist eine seltene Mutation und gilt als Glücksbringer.
A four-leaf clover is a rare mutation and is considered a good-luck charm.
cloverleaf interchange
A form of highway interchange in which the entrance and exit ramps are laid out so that, viewed from the air, they look like a four-leaf clover.
Das Kamener Kreuz war das erste Autobahnkreuz in Kleeblatt-Form in Deutschland.
The Kamener Kreuz was the first cloverleaf highway interchange in Germany.
close-knit foursome
A closely connected group, usually of four people.
Die vier Freundinnen waren in der Schule als unzertrennliches Kleeblatt bekannt.
The four friends were known at school as an inseparable close-knit foursome.
'Kleeblatt' (cloverleaf) is a compound noun made up of 'der Klee' (clover, a type of plant) and 'das Blatt' (leaf). So it literally means the leaf of a clover plant.
Die Kuh kaute genüsslich auf einem Kleeblatt.
The cow contentedly chewed on a cloverleaf.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: If it is about nature or luck, it refers to the plant. In connection with 'Autobahn' (highway) or 'Ausfahrt' (exit), it refers to the highway interchange. If people talk about a 'Gruppe' (group) or 'Freunden' (friends), it refers to people.
Auf der Wiese suchten wir nach einem vierblättrigen Kleeblatt.
In the meadow, we searched for a four-leaf clover.
A 'vierblättriges Kleeblatt' (four-leaf clover) is considered a good-luck charm in many cultures. Most clover leaves have only three leaves, which is why the four-leaf variety is seen as something special and rare.
Sie hat ein vierblättriges Kleeblatt gefunden und es als Glücksbringer in ein Buch gelegt.
She found a four-leaf clover and placed it in a book as a good-luck charm.
The term for a highway interchange comes from the visual similarity between the looping entrance and exit ramps and the shape of a four-leaf clover when viewed from above.
Der Verkehr staute sich vor dem Autobahn-Kleeblatt.
Traffic backed up before the cloverleaf interchange.
In this figurative meaning, 'Kleeblatt' (close-knit foursome) is usually used for a group of four people who are considered very closely connected. It is often combined with the adjective 'unzertrennlich' (inseparable).
Die vier Schwestern waren als ein unzertrennliches Kleeblatt bekannt.
The four sisters were known as an inseparable close-knit foursome.
quartet
Quartett and Kleeblatt can both refer to four closely connected people. Quartett primarily emphasizes the number or the group as a unit of four, while Kleeblatt emphasizes the close, usually figurative connection. Use Quartett for the group as a foursome and Kleeblatt for its sense of togetherness.
Das befreundete Kleeblatt verbrachte den Urlaub wie jedes Jahr zusammen.
The close-knit foursome of friends spent their vacation together as they did every year.
Das Quartett aus vier Fachleuten stellte gemeinsam den neuen Plan vor.
The quartet of four experts jointly presented the new plan.
