das Messer
knife
A tool or piece of cutlery with a sharp blade and a handle, used for cutting.
EXAMPLE
Für das Steak brauchst du ein schärferes Messer.
You need a sharper knife for the steak.
das Messer
knife
das Messer, die Messer
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Meanings
ins offene Messer laufen
to walk into a trap
An idiom meaning to end up in a predictable danger or trap, either with one's eyes open or out of ignorance.
EXAMPLE
Er hat den Warnungen keine Beachtung geschenkt und ist mit seiner naiven Entscheidung direkt ins offene Messer gelaufen.
He paid no attention to the warnings and walked straight into a trap with his naive decision.
jemandem das Messer auf die Brust setzen
to put someone under pressure
An idiom meaning to put someone under strong pressure or force them to make a quick decision.
EXAMPLE
Mit dem Ultimatum hat uns der Vermieter wirklich das Messer auf die Brust gesetzt.
With the ultimatum, the landlord really put us under pressure.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Messer, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance (das)
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Messer |
| genitive | des Messers |
The four cases (das)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Messer | die Messer |
| accusative | das Messer | die Messer |
| dative | dem Messer | den Messern |
| genitive | des Messers | der Messer |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
At a glance (der)
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Messer |
| genitive | des Messers |
The four cases (der)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Messer | die Messer |
| accusative | den Messer | die Messer |
| dative | dem Messer | den Messern |
| genitive | des Messers | der Messer |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word composition
The word 'Messer' (knife) is a base word for many specific tools. You can often recognize from the first part of the word what the knife is intended for.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir bitte das Brotmesser geben?
Can you please give me the bread knife?
Für den Apfel reicht ein kleines Küchenmesser.
A small kitchen knife is enough for the apple.
Use with 'mit'
To express that you are using a knife as a tool, use the preposition 'mit' (with), followed by the dative.
EXAMPLE
Die Butter wird mit dem Messer auf das Brot geschmiert.
The butter is spread on the bread with the knife.
Fixed expression
In the idiom 'ins offene Messer laufen' (to walk into a trap), the verb 'laufen' (to run/walk) is conjugated. The expression describes someone carelessly ending up in a trap or danger.
EXAMPLE
Obwohl wir ihn gewarnt hatten, lief er mit seiner Entscheidung direkt ins offene Messer.
Although we had warned him, he walked straight into a trap with his decision.
Dative construction
In the idiom 'jemandem das Messer auf die Brust setzen' (to put someone under pressure), the person being put under pressure is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Mein Chef hat mir mit der kurzen Frist wirklich das Messer auf die Brust gesetzt.
My boss really put me under pressure with the short deadline.
In real life
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