der Knick
kink / bend
A spot where something straight is sharply bent or folded.
EXAMPLE
Durch den Knick im Gartenschlauch kommt kein Wasser mehr.
Because of the kink in the garden hose, no more water is coming through.
der Knick
kink / bend
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Meanings
der Knick
setback / downturn
In a figurative sense, a sudden decline or negative turn in a development, for example in a career or a statistic.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Skandal erlebte seine politische Karriere einen deutlichen Knick.
After the scandal, his political career suffered a noticeable setback.
der Knick
hedgerow
In northern Germany, a hedge made of trees and shrubs that grows on a small earthen bank and serves as a field boundary.
EXAMPLE
Die Landschaft in Schleswig-Holstein ist von vielen Knicks geprägt.
The landscape in Schleswig-Holstein is characterized by many hedgerows.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Knick' (kink/bend) is derived directly from the verb 'knicken' (to bend/fold). 'Knicken' means to bend or fold something sharply, such as a sheet of paper.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, dass du keinen Knick in das wichtige Dokument machst.
Be careful not to make a kink in the important document.
Typical collocations
A 'Knick' (kink/bend) often describes an unwanted bend in an otherwise straight object. Typical combinations are 'ein Knick im Kabel' (a kink in the cable), 'ein Knick im Papier' (a fold in the paper), or 'ein Knick im Strohhalm' (a bend in the straw).
EXAMPLE
Wegen des Knicks im Kabel hat der Lautsprecher einen Wackelkontakt.
Because of the kink in the cable, the speaker has a loose connection.
Figurative meaning
In its figurative meaning, 'Knick' (setback/downturn) is often used for negative developments. People speak of 'einem Knick in der Karriere' (a setback in one's career), 'einem Knick in der Leistungskurve' (a drop in the performance curve), or 'einem Knick im Lebenslauf' (a blemish or setback in one's CV).
EXAMPLE
Die Verkaufszahlen erlitten nach der Preiserhöhung einen spürbaren Knick.
Sales figures suffered a noticeable downturn after the price increase.
Regional meaning
The meaning as a hedge on an earthen bank is a special usage in northern Germany, especially in Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. In other parts of Germany, the word is not understood this way.
EXAMPLE
Hinter dem alten Bauernhaus verläuft ein breiter Knick.
A wide hedgerow runs behind the old farmhouse.
Compare with
Knick vs Einbruch
break-in / onset
Einbruch and Knick can both describe a negative turn in a development or statistic. Einbruch emphasizes a sudden and sharp decline, while Knick mainly highlights the visible change in the trend. Choose „Einbruch“ for a serious crash and „Knick“ for a marked change in direction.
Knick
Nach vielen guten Jahren zeigte die Statistik plötzlich einen deutlichen Knick.
After many good years, the statistics suddenly showed a clear downturn.
Einbruch
Der Einbruch der Leistung kam für das Team völlig unerwartet.
The drop in performance came as a complete surprise to the team.
In real life
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