stake / pile
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stake
A long, often pointed object made of wood or metal that is driven into the ground to support, fasten, or mark off something.
Die Tomatenpflanzen wurden an hölzernen Pfählen festgebunden.
The tomato plants were tied to wooden stakes.
pile
In construction, a long load-bearing structural element made of concrete, steel, or wood that is driven deep into the ground to support a foundation on unstable soil.
Wegen des weichen Bodens musste das Fundament des Gebäudes auf tiefen Pfählen gegründet werden.
Because of the soft ground, the building's foundation had to be built on deep piles.
to be a thorn in one's side
An idiom that describes a person or thing that is a constant source of annoyance, worry, or inconvenience.
Die andauernde Baustelle vor seinem Geschäft war für den Inhaber ein Pfahl im Fleische.
The ongoing construction site in front of his shop was a thorn in the owner's side.
A 'Pfahl' (stake) is typically driven into the ground. Common verbs in this context are 'einen Pfahl einschlagen' (to drive in a stake), 'rammen' (to ram in), or 'setzen' (to set/place).
Die Arbeiter schlugen die Pfähle für den neuen Zaun in die Erde.
The workers drove the stakes for the new fence into the ground.
This meaning of 'Pfahl' (pile) is a technical term from construction. Here it often refers to large piles made of concrete or steel that serve as a foundation for buildings.
Die Brücke wird auf massiven Betonpfählen errichtet.
The bridge is being built on massive concrete piles.
The idiom 'ein Pfahl im Fleische sein' (to be a thorn in one's side) is fixed. The person or thing that is bothersome is the subject of the sentence. You can add 'für' (for) plus the accusative to say for whom it is a nuisance.
Die ständigen lauten Partys seines Nachbarn sind ihm ein Pfahl im Fleische.
His neighbor's constant loud parties are a thorn in his side.
post
Pfosten and Pfahl can both be vertical parts of a fence or boundary. Pfahl is especially appropriate when the often pointed part is driven into the ground. Pfosten is more general and emphasizes its function as an upright, anchored support, regardless of the exact method of fastening.
Für den einfachen Zaun schlagen wir jeden zugespitzten Pfahl direkt in die Erde.
For the simple fence, we drive each pointed stake directly into the ground.
Für den Zaun verankern wir jeden Pfosten in einem kleinen Betonfundament.
For the fence, we anchor each post in a small concrete foundation.
