coral
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coral
A small cnidarian animal that lives in the sea, often in large colonies, and forms calcium carbonate skeletons from which coral reefs develop.
Die einzelne Koralle ist ein winziges Tier, das in Symbiose mit Algen lebt.
The individual coral is a tiny animal that lives in symbiosis with algae.
The three meanings can be distinguished well from context. If it is about the sea or biology, the animal is meant. If it is about jewelry or material, the skeleton is meant. If it is about fashion or interior design, the color is meant.
Viele Korallen sind durch die Erwärmung der Meere bedroht.
Many corals are threatened by the warming of the oceans.
When the animal is meant, 'Koralle' (coral) often appears in the plural. Typical combinations are 'Korallen bilden Riffe' (corals form reefs), 'Korallen wachsen langsam' (corals grow slowly), or 'Korallensterben' (coral die-off) as an ecological problem.
Das Great Barrier Reef besteht aus unzähligen kleinen Korallen.
The Great Barrier Reef consists of countless small corals.
When 'Koralle' (coral) refers to the material for jewelry or art, it is often used as an uncountable noun in the singular. It then frequently follows the preposition 'aus' (made of/from) and appears without an article.
Er kaufte ihr in Italien eine Kette aus Koralle.
He bought her a coral necklace in Italy.
As a color term, 'Koralle' (coral) can stand as a noun after a preposition or be part of an adjective. For example, you say 'ein T-Shirt in Koralle' (a T-shirt in coral) or 'ein korallefarbenes Kleid' (a coral-colored dress).
Sie hat ihre Fingernägel in einem leuchtenden Koralle lackiert.
She painted her fingernails in a bright coral.
pearl
'die Perle' and 'die Koralle' can be confused because both are connected with the sea and both can be used for jewelry. A 'Perle' forms inside certain shells and is usually small, round, and shiny. A 'Koralle' is first of all a sea animal; its hard calcium carbonate skeleton can be made into jewelry or decoration. In addition, 'Koralle' can also refer to a color. If you mean a round individual piece of jewelry from a shell, 'Perle' fits. If you are talking about coral reefs, coral material, or the color, 'Koralle' fits.
Beim Tauchen sahen wir eine rote Koralle neben vielen kleinen Fischen.
While diving, we saw a red coral next to many small fish.
Meine Großmutter bewahrt eine echte Perle in einer kleinen Schachtel auf.
My grandmother keeps a real pearl in a small box.