small wheel / cog
das Rädchen, die Rädchen
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small wheel
A small wheel, for example as part of a device or machine. It can be used for movement, transmitting force, or adjusting a function.
Mit dem kleinen Rädchen an der Seite lässt sich die Lautstärke einstellen.
The small wheel on the side can be used to adjust the volume.
a small cog in the machine
A person who performs only a subordinate task in a large organization and has little influence on the whole.
Als einfacher Angestellter war er nur ein kleines Rädchen im Getriebe des Konzerns.
As an ordinary employee, he was just a small cog in the corporation's machine.
everything works like clockwork
Various activities or processes are well coordinated and work together smoothly.
Bei der Organisation des Festivals griff ein Rädchen ins andere, sodass alles pünktlich fertig war.
When the festival was organized, everything meshed perfectly, so it was all ready on time.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Rädchen |
| genitive | des Rädchens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Rädchen | die Rädchen die Räderchen |
| accusative | das Rädchen | die Rädchen die Räderchen |
| dative | dem Rädchen | den Rädchen den Räderchen |
| genitive | des Rädchens | der Rädchen der Räderchen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Rädchen' (small wheel) is formed from 'Rad' (wheel) with the suffix '-chen'. The umlaut in 'ä' is also part of this diminutive form; the ending '-chen' is often used with small objects.
Im Inneren der alten Uhr dreht sich ein winziges Rädchen.
A tiny wheel is turning inside the old clock.
The meaning referring to a person mainly occurs in the fixed expression 'ein kleines Rädchen im Getriebe sein' (to be a small cog in the machine). It is often used in connection with large organizations, companies, or political systems and emphasizes a person's limited influence.
In der internationalen Organisation fühlte sie sich lange wie ein kleines Rädchen im Getriebe.
For a long time, she felt like a small cog in the machine of the international organization.
The expression 'ein Rädchen greift ins andere' (everything works like clockwork) describes processes in which several activities fit together smoothly. The verb is used in the present tense when describing a general state, and in the simple past or present perfect when recounting a completed process.
In diesem Betrieb greift ein Rädchen ins andere.
At this company, everything works like clockwork.
Beim Umzug hat ein Rädchen ins andere gegriffen.
During the move, everything worked like clockwork.
