crossword puzzle
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crossword puzzle
A puzzle in grid form in which you have to find words based on definitions or clues and enter them into the appropriate boxes. The words run horizontally and vertically and cross each other.
Am Sonntag löse ich immer das Kreuzworträtsel in der Zeitung.
On Sundays, I always solve the crossword puzzle in the newspaper.
The word is a clear compound made up of three parts: 'Kreuz' (cross), 'Wort' (word), and 'Rätsel' (puzzle). So it literally describes a puzzle in which words cross each other.
Ich kaufe die Zeitung nur wegen des Kreuzworträtsels.
I buy the newspaper only because of the crossword puzzle.
In connection with a crossword puzzle, you usually use the verbs 'lösen' (to solve) or 'ausfüllen' (to fill in). The verb 'machen' (to do/make) is more colloquial.
Er braucht für ein schwieriges Kreuzworträtsel oft nur zehn Minuten.
He often needs only ten minutes for a difficult crossword puzzle.
To solve a crossword puzzle, you need to know the terms 'waagerecht' (horizontal, from left to right) and 'senkrecht' (vertical, from top to bottom). These indicate the direction of the words.
Gesucht wird ein Wort mit fünf Buchstaben, senkrecht.
The word being searched for has five letters, vertical.
riddle / mystery
'das Rätsel' and 'das Kreuzworträtsel' both have to do with a thinking task. 'Rätsel' is the more general word: it can be a question, a task, or also something unclear that you want to solve or understand. 'Kreuzworträtsel' is a specific kind of puzzle with boxes into which you enter words horizontally and vertically. Learners may confuse the words because every 'Kreuzworträtsel' is a 'Rätsel'. But not every 'Rätsel' is a 'Kreuzworträtsel'.
Zum Entspannen macht mein Vater jeden Sonntag ein Kreuzworträtsel.
To relax, my father does a crossword puzzle every Sunday.
Im Bus löst Anna ein Rätsel aus der Zeitung.
On the bus, Anna solves a puzzle from the newspaper.