01
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
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Meanings
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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?
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.
Compare with
Messer vs Klinge
blade
'das Messer' and 'die Klinge' are closely related, but they do not mean the same thing. A knife is the whole tool or piece of cutlery, with a handle and a sharp part. The blade is only the sharp part used for cutting. The words can be confused because when you think of a knife, you immediately think of the sharp part. If you mean the whole thing, say 'Messer'. If you are talking only about the sharp part, 'Klinge' is more precise.
Messer
Ich brauche ein scharfes Messer, weil ich das Brot schneiden möchte.
I need a sharp knife because I want to cut the bread.
Klinge
Beim Schneiden ist die Klinge plötzlich stumpf geworden.
While I was cutting, the blade suddenly became dull.
In real life
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