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.
'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.
leaf / sheet
'das Blatt' and 'das Kleeblatt' can both mean parts of a plant. 'Blatt' is the general word for the flat green part of a plant or tree. 'Kleeblatt' is much more specific: it is the leaf of the clover plant and usually consists of three small leaflets. The words can be confused because a 'Kleeblatt' is also a kind of 'Blatt'. But if you are not talking about clover, 'Blatt' is the right word. 'Kleeblatt' is used only for clover or for things that look like a cloverleaf.
Im Garten findet Tom ein Kleeblatt mit vier Blättchen.
In the garden, Tom finds a cloverleaf with four leaflets.
Ein gelbes Blatt liegt auf dem Küchentisch.
A yellow leaf is lying on the kitchen table.