linen / canvas
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linen
A fabric made from the fibers of the flax plant. It is known for its strength and absorbency and is often used for summer clothing, bed linens, and tablecloths.
Im Sommer trage ich am liebsten Hemden aus reinem Leinen.
In summer, I prefer wearing shirts made of pure linen.
The word 'Leinen' (linen) is derived directly from 'der Lein' (flax), the German name for the flax plant. So the material is named after the plant from which it is obtained.
Leinen wird aus den Stängeln der Leinpflanze hergestellt.
Linen is made from the stems of the flax plant.
When 'Leinen' (linen) is meant as a material for clothing or fabrics, it is often used without an article and combined with the preposition 'aus' (made of/from). It then behaves like other names for fabrics.
Diese Hose ist aus Leinen und sehr bequem.
These pants are made of linen and are very comfortable.
As a fabric, 'Leinen' (linen) is often associated with summer clothing and home textiles. Typical combinations are 'ein Kleid aus Leinen' (a dress made of linen), 'Leinenbettwäsche' (linen bed sheets), or 'ein Tischtuch aus Leinen' (a tablecloth made of linen).
Für den Sommer hat sie sich ein neues Kleid aus Leinen gekauft.
For the summer, she bought herself a new dress made of linen.
You can recognize the meaning 'Leinwand' (canvas) from the context. If the topic is art, painting, or artists, it usually refers to a single cloth. In this case, the word is often used with an article.
Der Maler grundierte das Leinen, bevor er die ersten Farben auftrug.
The painter primed the canvas before applying the first colors.
screen / canvas
'die Leinwand' and 'das Leinen' are similar because both can have to do with sturdy fabric. 'Leinen' mainly refers to the material made from flax, for example for clothing, bed linens, or tablecloths. 'Leinwand' often means a sturdy fabric or a painting surface, that is, a piece of fabric that is painted on. The words sound similar and are therefore easy to confuse. The key point is: 'Leinen' is usually the material, while 'Leinwand' is often the surface for painting or projecting.
Im Sommer trägt der Kunde gern Hemden aus Leinen.
In summer, the customer likes to wear linen shirts.
Auf der Leinwand ist noch Platz für einen hellen Himmel.
There is still room on the canvas for a bright sky.