die Koppel
paddock
A fenced pasture area where farm animals, especially horses, are kept.
EXAMPLE
Die Pferde galoppierten frei auf der großen Koppel.
The horses galloped freely in the large paddock.
die Koppel
paddock / belt
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Meanings
die Koppel
belt
A wide belt that is part of a uniform (e.g., in the military or police) and is used to carry equipment.
EXAMPLE
Der Soldat befestigte seine Feldflasche an der Koppel.
The soldier attached his canteen to his belt.
Usage tips
Context clue
The two meanings of 'Koppel' (paddock/belt) are very different. The context makes clear what is meant: if people are talking about animals, farms, or pastures, it means the fenced area. If it is about uniforms, the military, or the police, it means the belt.
EXAMPLE
Die Kühe stehen auf der Koppel und fressen Gras.
The cows are standing in the paddock and eating grass.
Typical collocations (pasture)
When the pasture is meant, 'Koppel' (paddock) often appears together with words like 'Pferde' (horses), 'Tiere' (animals), 'weiden' (to graze), or 'stehen' (to stand/be). The most important preposition is 'auf' (on/in).
EXAMPLE
Der Bauer bringt die Pferde jeden Morgen auf die Koppel.
The farmer takes the horses to the paddock every morning.
Correct preposition (pasture)
For the meaning 'Weide' (pasture), the preposition 'auf' (on/in) is crucial. A distinction is made between direction (accusative) and location (dative).
EXAMPLE
Wir bringen die Schafe auf die Koppel.
We are taking the sheep to the paddock.
Typical collocations (belt)
In the meaning 'Gürtel' (belt), 'Koppel' is often used with verbs like 'tragen' (to wear/carry) or 'befestigen' (to attach). The most important preposition here is 'an' (on/to).
EXAMPLE
Der Wanderer befestigte seine Trinkflasche an der Koppel.
The hiker attached his water bottle to his belt.
Compare with
Koppel vs Wiese
meadow
Wiese generally refers to an area covered with grass. Koppel, by contrast, means a fenced-off, particularly enclosed pasture area for farm animals, especially horses. When the fencing and keeping of animals are important, Koppel is the appropriate word; for an open grassy area, Wiese is the better choice.
Koppel
Die Kinder sahen den Pferden auf der eingezäunten Koppel neben dem Stall beim Grasen zu.
The children watched the horses graze in the fenced paddock beside the stable.
Wiese
Die Kinder liefen über die Wiese neben dem Stall, während die Pferde auf einer anderen Fläche standen.
The children ran across the meadow beside the stable while the horses stood in another area.
In real life
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