die Ranke
tendril
A thin, flexible stem of a climbing plant that it uses to cling to other plants or objects.
EXAMPLE
Die Ranke der Weinpflanze wickelte sich um das Geländer.
The grapevine's tendril curled around the railing.
die Ranke
tendril / scrollwork
die Ranke, die Ranken
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Meanings
die Ranke
scrollwork
A curved decorative design resembling a plant or a winding plant stem.
EXAMPLE
Das alte Tor war mit kunstvollen Ranken verziert.
The old gate was decorated with elaborate scrollwork.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Ranke, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Ranken |
| genitive | der Ranke |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Ranke | die Ranken |
| accusative | die Ranke | die Ranken |
| dative | der Ranke | den Ranken |
| genitive | der Ranke | der Ranken |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Ranke' (tendril / scrollwork) belongs to the word family of 'ranken' (to wind or climb). This can help you remember that a Ranke typically has a curved or winding shape.
EXAMPLE
Die Ranke wächst am Zaun entlang und erreicht bald das Fenster.
The tendril grows along the fence and will soon reach the window.
Typical collocations
For a real plant, typical collocations include 'Ranken bilden' (to form tendrils), 'sich mit Ranken festhalten' (to cling with tendrils), and 'die Ranken zurückschneiden' (to cut back the tendrils).
EXAMPLE
Die Erbsen halten sich mit ihren Ranken am Gitter fest.
The pea plants cling to the trellis with their tendrils.
Decoration
When used as an ornament, 'die Ranke' (scrollwork) is often associated with decorations on gates, furniture, fabrics, or buildings. Common signal words include 'verziert' (decorated), 'Ornament' (ornament), and 'Muster' (pattern).
EXAMPLE
Auf dem alten Schrank waren goldene Ranken als Muster zu sehen.
Golden scrollwork could be seen as a pattern on the old cabinet.
In real life
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