needle
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needle
A small, pointed metal tool with a hole (eye) at the end, used for sewing fabrics. In a broader sense, also a pin used for fastening.
Ich brauche Nadel und Faden, um den Knopf wieder anzunähen.
I need a needle and thread to sew the button back on.
'Nadel' (needle) is the base word for many more precise terms. Depending on the context, it is often combined into words like 'Nähnadel' (sewing needle), 'Stecknadel' (pin), 'Tannennadel' (fir needle), or 'Kompassnadel' (compass needle).
Für diese feine Arbeit brauchst du eine sehr dünne Nähnadel.
For this delicate work, you need a very thin sewing needle.
The context reveals the meaning: words like 'Faden' (thread) or 'Stoff' (fabric) point to a sewing needle. 'Arzt' (doctor) or 'Spritze' (syringe) point to the medical needle. 'Wald' (forest) or 'Baum' (tree) point to the leaves of coniferous trees. 'Uhr' (clock/watch) or 'Plattenspieler' (record player) point to a pointer or stylus.
Kannst du mir bitte Nadel und Faden geben?
Can you please give me a needle and thread?
The idiom 'wie auf Nadeln sitzen' (to sit as if on needles) means that someone is very nervous, impatient, or tense and can hardly sit still.
Vor dem Vorstellungsgespräch saß er wie auf Nadeln.
Before the job interview, he was on pins and needles.
In a medical context, the phrase 'Angst vor der Nadel haben' (to be afraid of the needle) is very common for expressing fear of injections or blood draws.
Schon als Kind hatte ich immer große Angst vor der Nadel.
Even as a child, I was always very afraid of the needle.
leaf / sheet
'das Blatt' and 'die Nadel' can both be parts of plants. On many trees and plants, a 'Blatt' is flat and often broad. On conifers such as firs, spruces, or pines, the narrow, pointed leaves are called 'Nadeln'. The words can be confusing because a 'Nadel' in this sense is actually also a special kind of leaf. In everyday language, however, people say 'Blätter' for deciduous trees and 'Nadeln' for conifers.
Nach dem Sturm lagen viele Nadeln von der Tanne auf dem Gehweg.
After the storm, many needles from the fir tree were lying on the sidewalk.
Im Herbst wird jedes Blatt am Ahornbaum gelb oder rot.
In autumn, every leaf on the maple tree turns yellow or red.