post
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post
A vertical beam made of wood, metal, or concrete that is anchored in the ground or in a structure and serves to support, delimit, or fasten something.
Wir müssen die Pfosten für den neuen Gartenzaun noch setzen.
We still need to set the posts for the new garden fence.
goalpost
The side, vertical bar of a goal in sports, especially in soccer, handball, or ice hockey.
Der Stürmer traf mit seinem Schuss nur den Pfosten.
The striker only hit the goalpost with his shot.
idiot
A colloquial, derogatory insult for a person who is seen as stupid, clumsy, or incompetent.
So ein Pfosten! Er hat schon wieder den falschen Knopf gedrückt.
What an idiot! He pressed the wrong button again.
'Der Pfosten' is a vertical beam. The English word 'post' can mean this too, but it also refers to mail. Mail is called 'die Post' in German.
Der Zaun wird von stabilen Holzpfosten gehalten.
The fence is held up by sturdy wooden posts.
You can recognize the meaning from context. In construction or gardening, it means a support beam. In sports, it means the goalpost. In an argument or derogatory remark, it is an insult.
Der Ball prallte vom Pfosten zurück ins Spielfeld.
The ball bounced off the goalpost back into the field of play.
As an insult, 'Pfosten' is very colloquial and offensive. It expresses that you consider someone very stupid or incompetent.
Was für ein Pfosten! Er hat das Auto direkt vor der Einfahrt geparkt.
What an idiot! He parked the car right in front of the driveway.
In a sports context, especially in soccer, you often hear fixed phrases such as 'den Pfosten treffen' (to hit the goalpost), 'am Pfosten scheitern' (to be denied by the post), or 'ein Schuss an den Pfosten' (a shot against the post).
Der Stürmer hatte Pech und traf nur den Pfosten.
The striker was unlucky and only hit the goalpost.
column / pillar
Pfosten and Säule can both be vertical structural components that serve a supporting function. A Pfosten is usually a simple, beam-shaped part of a construction. A Säule is often round and is used especially for architecturally designed or imposing supports.
Ein schlichter Holzpfosten trägt das Dach der kleinen Terrasse.
A simple wooden post supports the roof of the small patio.
Eine runde Steinsäule trägt das Dach des repräsentativen Eingangs.
A round stone column supports the roof of the grand entrance.
