die Linse
lentil
The edible, flat seed of a legume, often used for soups and stews.
EXAMPLE
An kalten Tagen koche ich gerne eine wärmende Linsensuppe.
On cold days, I like to cook a warming lentil soup.
die Linse
lentil / lens
die Linse, die Linsen
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Meanings
die Linse
lens
A transparent component, usually made of glass or plastic, with at least one curved surface, that focuses or scatters rays of light. It is used in glasses, cameras, or telescopes.
EXAMPLE
Der Fotograf hat die Linse seines Objektivs sorgfältig geputzt.
The photographer carefully cleaned the lens of his camera.
die Linse
lens
The transparent, elastic body inside the eye that refracts light and focuses it on the retina.
EXAMPLE
Bei der Operation des Grauen Stars wird die getrübte körpereigene Linse durch eine künstliche ersetzt.
During cataract surgery, the clouded natural lens is replaced with an artificial one.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Linse, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Linsen |
| genitive | der Linse |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Linse | die Linsen |
| accusative | die Linse | die Linsen |
| dative | der Linse | den Linsen |
| genitive | der Linse | der Linsen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
Since 'Linse' (lentil/lens) has three very different meanings, context is crucial. If it is about cooking and food, it refers to the legume. In connection with cameras, glasses, or optics, it refers to the optical component. If people are talking about the eye or medicine, it refers to the part of the eye.
EXAMPLE
Für dieses Rezept brauchen Sie rote Linsen.
You need red lentils for this recipe.
Die neue Brille hat besonders dünne Linsen.
The new glasses have especially thin lenses.
Eine Trübung der Linse kann das Sehvermögen stark beeinträchtigen.
Clouding of the lens can severely impair vision.
Typical collocations
In a culinary context, 'Linse' (lentil) is often combined with dishes or preparation methods. Typical examples are 'Linsensuppe' (lentil soup), 'Linseneintopf' (lentil stew), or color descriptions such as 'rote Linsen' (red lentils) or 'braune Linsen' (brown lentils).
EXAMPLE
Im Winter esse ich gerne einen heißen Linseneintopf.
In winter, I like eating a hot lentil stew.
Beluga-Linsen sind klein, schwarz und besonders aromatisch.
Beluga lentils are small, black, and especially aromatic.
Typical collocations
When it comes to optics, 'Linse' (lens) often appears in connection with devices. Common combinations are 'die Linse der Kamera' (the camera lens), 'die Linse des Objektivs' (the lens of the camera lens), or 'eine konvexe/konkave Linse' (a convex/concave lens).
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, dass kein Staub auf die Kameralinse kommt.
Be careful that no dust gets on the camera lens.
Ein Teleskop bündelt Licht durch eine große Linse.
A telescope focuses light through a large lens.
Medical context
In anatomy and medicine, it almost always means 'die Linse des Auges' (the lens of the eye). You also often hear about a 'künstliche Linse' (artificial lens), which is inserted during operations.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt erklärte, wie die Linse im Auge funktioniert.
The doctor explained how the lens in the eye works.
Nach der Operation erhielt der Patient eine künstliche Linse.
After the operation, the patient received an artificial lens.
Compare with
Linse vs Glas
glass / jar
The given meanings of “das Glas” and “die Linse” do not support the stated area of possible confusion in optics. Therefore, these meanings do not allow a precise distinction in usage for a part of a pair of glasses.
Linse
Für die Suppe weicht sie die Linse über Nacht ein.
She soaked the lentil overnight for the soup.
Glas
Das Glas steht neben dem Teller.
The glass is next to the plate.
In real life
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