reihen
slender / graceful
An outdated, poetic term for a slender and well-proportioned figure or form. The word is hardly used today.
EXAMPLE
Der Dichter pries die reihen Glieder der Tänzerin.
The poet praised the dancer's slender limbs.
reihen
slender / graceful
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Meanings
Usage tips
Register and style
This word is outdated and belongs to poetic language. It is no longer actively used in modern German. You should know it in order to understand old texts, but not use it yourself.
EXAMPLE
In dem Gedicht aus dem 19. Jahrhundert wurde ihre „reihe Gestalt“ gelobt.
In the 19th-century poem, her 'reihe Gestalt' (slender figure) was praised.
Word family
The adjective 'reihen' (slender/graceful) is related to the noun 'die Reihe' (row/line). It describes a form that is as straight, slender, and well-shaped as objects in a perfect row.
EXAMPLE
Die alten Bäume standen in einer geraden Reihe am Wegesrand.
The old trees stood in a straight row along the side of the path.
Typical collocations
In older literature, 'reihen' (slender/graceful) almost exclusively describes the human body. Typical combinations are 'reihe Glieder' (slender limbs) or 'ein reihen Wuchs' (a slender figure).
EXAMPLE
Der Held der Sage wurde für seinen reihen Wuchs bewundert.
The hero of the legend was admired for his slender figure.
Compare with
reihen vs heften
to staple / baste
For temporarily stitching fabric together, the given meaning does not support „reihen“, while „heften“ can be used directly for this purpose. Here, „reihen“ refers only to an outdated, poetic description of a slender figure or shape. For pieces of fabric, use „heften“.
reihen
In der alten Beschreibung wird ihre schlanke Figur als reihen bezeichnet.
In the old description, her slender figure is described as “reihen.”
heften
Vor dem endgültigen Nähen heftet die Schneiderin die beiden Stoffteile mit großen Stichen.
Before sewing the pieces together permanently, the seamstress bastes the two pieces of fabric with large stitches.
In real life
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