nageln
to nail
To fasten something with one or more nails.
EXAMPLE
Er hat das Brett mit drei langen Stahlnägeln an der Wand festgenagelt.
He nailed the board to the wall with three long steel nails.
nageln
to nail / screw
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Meanings
nageln
to screw
A colloquial expression, often perceived as vulgar, meaning to have sexual intercourse.
EXAMPLE
Die Jugendlichen prahlten mit ihren erfundenen Geschichten, wen sie schon alles genagelt hätten.
The teenagers bragged with their made-up stories about everyone they had supposedly screwed.
jemanden nageln
to nail someone
Colloquial for catching someone, proving their guilt, or holding them accountable.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei war sich sicher, dass sie den Täter bald nageln würden.
The police were sure they would soon nail the perpetrator.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'nageln' (to nail) is derived directly from the noun 'der Nagel' (the nail). So it literally describes the action you perform with a nail: fastening something.
EXAMPLE
Er suchte einen Hammer, um das Schild an den Baum zu nageln.
He looked for a hammer to nail the sign to the tree.
Context clue
This word has a neutral, literal meaning (m01) and two very colloquial meanings (m02, m03). Whether it is about fastening something with nails or something else only becomes clear from the context. Be careful when using the colloquial meanings.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir helfen, das Regal an der Wand festzunageln?
Can you help me nail the shelf to the wall?
Sentence structure and use
In the literal meaning, German often states what is nailed where. The construction is typically: 'etwas an/auf etwas (Akkusativ) nageln' (to nail something to/onto something).
EXAMPLE
Er nagelte das Plakat direkt an die Holzwand.
He nailed the poster directly to the wooden wall.
Register note
In this meaning, 'nageln' (to screw) is a very colloquial expression and is often perceived as vulgar. It should definitely be avoided in formal or polite conversations.
EXAMPLE
In seiner Erzählung benutzte er eine sehr direkte, vulgäre Sprache.
In his story, he used very direct, vulgar language.
Typical collocations
In the colloquial meaning 'überführen' (to prove someone's guilt), the verb is often used in the context of crime or rule violations. Typically, 'der Täter' (the perpetrator), 'der Verdächtige' (the suspect), or 'der Betrüger' (the fraudster) is 'genagelt' (nailed).
EXAMPLE
Mit den neuen Beweismitteln konnte die Polizei den Dieb endlich nageln.
With the new evidence, the police were finally able to nail the thief.
Compare with
nageln vs ficken
to fuck
Both verbs can refer to having sexual intercourse. Ficken is a direct and clearly vulgar term. Nageln is a colloquial euphemism, but it is also often perceived as vulgar.
nageln
Mit einer derben umgangssprachlichen Wendung sagte er, er wolle sie nageln.
Using a crude colloquial expression, he said he wanted to nail her.
ficken
Mit sehr vulgären Worten sagte er, er wolle sie ficken.
Using very vulgar language, he said he wanted to fuck her.
In real life
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