die List
cunning / trick
The ability or action of achieving a goal through cleverness, deception, or a crafty approach.
EXAMPLE
Mit einer List gelang es dem Fuchs, an die Trauben zu kommen.
With a trick, the fox managed to get the grapes.
die List
cunning / trick
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'die List' (cunning/trick) belongs to the same word family as the adjective 'listig' (cunning/crafty). So a cunning person is someone who often uses a trick.
EXAMPLE
Der Detektiv war bekannt dafür, listig zu sein und seine Gegner zu täuschen.
The detective was known for being cunning and deceiving his opponents.
Usage pattern
'List' (trick) is very often used with the preposition 'mit' (with) to describe the method. The typical sentence structure is: 'Mit einer List gelang es jemandem, etwas zu tun.' (With a trick, someone managed to do something.)
EXAMPLE
Mit einer List schaffte er es, den Schlüssel zu bekommen.
With a trick, he managed to get the key.
Typical collocations
Common verbs used with 'List' (trick) are 'eine List anwenden' (to use a trick), 'eine List ersinnen' (to devise a trick), or 'auf eine List hereinfallen' (to fall for a trick/be deceived).
EXAMPLE
Er ist auf die List seines Konkurrenten hereingefallen.
He fell for his competitor's trick.
Compare with
List vs Falle
trap
A Falle (trap) and a List (cunning or trick) can both involve deception and outsmarting someone. List refers to the clever or devious approach, while Falle refers to the plan or situation in which someone gets into trouble as a result. Use List for the approach and Falle for the situation created by it.
List
Mit einer geschickten List brachte der Händler den Kunden zum Kauf.
The merchant used a clever trick to persuade the customer to buy.
Falle
Der Händler stellte dem Kunden eine Falle, indem er wichtige Kosten verschwieg.
The merchant set a trap for the customer by concealing important costs.
In real life
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