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.
canvas
A single cloth or canvas made from this fabric, used for example as the surface for a painting.
Der Künstler spannte das Leinen auf den Rahmen, bevor er mit dem Malen begann.
The artist stretched the canvas over the frame before he began painting.
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
Leinwand and Leinen can both refer to a painting surface. Leinwand usually names the specific painting surface stretched over a frame. With Leinen, the focus is more on the fabric from which the painting surface is made.
Für das neue Gemälde wählt die Künstlerin feines Leinen als Malgrund.
For her new painting, the artist chooses fine linen as the painting surface.
Für das neue Gemälde spannt die Künstlerin eine Leinwand auf den Rahmen.
For her new painting, the artist stretches a canvas over the frame.
