die Kordel
cord
A thick, usually twisted cord made of fabric, yarn, or a similar material.
EXAMPLE
Sie band das Paket mit einer roten Kordel zu.
She tied the package with a red cord.
die Kordel
cord
die Kordel, die Kordeln
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Meanings
die Kordel
drawstring
A cord used to tie something together or make it tighter by pulling, especially on clothing, bags, or pouches.
EXAMPLE
Er zog die Kordel an der Kapuze fest.
He pulled the drawstring on the hood tight.
die Kordel
decorative cord
A decorative cord attached to clothing, furniture, or other objects as ornamentation or trim.
EXAMPLE
Die Jacke ist an den Ärmeln mit einer goldenen Kordel verziert.
The jacket is decorated with a gold cord on the sleeves.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Kordel, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Kordeln |
| genitive | der Kordel |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Kordel | die Kordeln |
| accusative | die Kordel | die Kordeln |
| dative | der Kordel | den Kordeln |
| genitive | der Kordel | der Kordeln |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
With „Kordel“ (cord), the verbs and prepositions often indicate the intended use: „mit“ (with) or „zusammenbinden“ (to tie together) points to a cord used for tying, while „verziert mit“ (decorated with) points to a decorative cord.
EXAMPLE
Mit einer dicken Kordel hielt sie die zusammengerollte Decke zusammen.
She used a thick cord to hold the rolled-up blanket together.
Der Vorhang ist mit einer silbernen Kordel verziert.
The curtain is decorated with a silver cord.
Typical collocations
For „Kordel“ (cord) meaning a thick cord, material, color, and shape are especially typical descriptions. Common combinations include „gedrehte Kordel“ (twisted cord), „dicke Kordel“ (thick cord), and „eine Kordel aus Baumwolle“ (a cotton cord).
EXAMPLE
Für das Geschenk nahm er eine dicke Kordel aus Baumwolle.
He chose a thick cotton cord for the gift.
Pulling movement
When „Kordel“ (drawstring) is used to close or tighten something, it often occurs with verbs such as „ziehen“ (to pull), „festziehen“ (to pull tight), „lockern“ (to loosen), and „zusammenziehen“ (to draw together). The cord is usually part of a piece of clothing, a pouch, or a bag.
EXAMPLE
Sie zog die Kordel am Stoffbeutel fest, damit nichts herausfiel.
She pulled the drawstring on the fabric bag tight so that nothing fell out.
Decorative trim
In its decorative sense, „Kordel“ (decorative cord) often follows „mit“ (with) and occurs with verbs such as „verzieren“ (to decorate), „einfassen“ (to trim), or „besetzen“ (to adorn with trim). Typical places include clothing, curtains, and upholstered furniture.
EXAMPLE
Die Kissen sind an den Rändern mit einer dunklen Kordel eingefasst.
The cushions are trimmed with a dark cord around the edges.
In real life
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