der Knäuel
ball of yarn
A long thread wound or tangled into a ball, especially wool or yarn.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze hat ein Knäuel Wolle durch das ganze Zimmer gerollt.
The cat rolled a ball of yarn all around the room.
der Knäuel
tangle / ball
der Knäuel, die Knäuel
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Meanings
der Knäuel
knot of people
A tightly packed and disorderly group of people or animals.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Eingang bildete sich ein Knäuel wartender Menschen.
A knot of waiting people formed in front of the entrance.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Knäuel, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Knäuel |
| genitive | des Knäuels |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Knäuel | die Knäuel |
| accusative | den Knäuel | die Knäuel |
| dative | dem Knäuel | den Knäueln |
| genitive | des Knäuels | der Knäuel |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
The context determines the meaning of 'Knäuel' (tangle / ball): when words like 'Wolle' (wool), 'Garn' (yarn), or 'Faden' (thread) appear with it, it refers to material; with 'Menschen' (people) or 'Tieren' (animals), it refers to a tightly packed group.
EXAMPLE
Neben dem Korb lag ein Knäuel aus bunten Fäden.
A tangle of colorful threads lay next to the basket.
Vor dem Schalter drängte sich ein Knäuel ungeduldiger Reisender.
A knot of impatient travelers crowded in front of the ticket counter.
Typical collocations
When referring to threads or wool, 'Knäuel' (ball / tangle) frequently appears with 'Wolle' (wool), 'Garn' (yarn), or 'Faden' (thread). Typical verbs include 'aufwickeln' (to wind up), 'abwickeln' (to unwind), and 'entwirren' (to untangle).
EXAMPLE
Sie musste ein großes Knäuel Garn vorsichtig entwirren.
She had to carefully untangle a large ball of yarn.
Describing groups
For a tightly packed group, common expressions include 'ein Knäuel Menschen' (a knot of people) or 'ein Knäuel Kinder' (a knot of children). The verb 'sich bilden' (to form) often describes how this group comes into being.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Konzert bildete sich vor dem Ausgang ein Knäuel Menschen.
After the concert, a knot of people formed in front of the exit.
In real life
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