gutter / channel
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gutter / channel
A long, narrow, and usually open depression used to drain or guide liquids, especially water. A roof gutter is a typical example.
Nach dem starken Regen war die Rinne am Dach voller Blätter.
After the heavy rain, the gutter on the roof was full of leaves.
'Die Rinne' (the gutter/channel) is closely related to the verb 'rinnen' (to flow or drip). So a Rinne is literally something in which liquid flows.
Das Wasser rinnt langsam durch die verstopfte Rinne.
The water flows slowly through the clogged gutter.
The word 'Rinne' (gutter/channel) is very often the second part of compound nouns. The first part then describes the purpose or location of the Rinne, for example 'Dachrinne' (roof gutter), 'Regenrinne' (rain gutter), or 'Abflussrinne' (drainage channel).
Die Dachrinne muss dringend gereinigt werden.
The roof gutter urgently needs to be cleaned.
The context makes the meaning clear: On buildings and streets, it refers to an artificial drainage channel. In geography, it means a natural depression in the terrain. On surfaces like skin, it means a small furrow.
Der Schweiß bildete eine kleine Rinne auf seiner Stirn.
The sweat formed a small groove on his forehead.
Common verbs used with a Rinne are 'reinigen' (to clean) and 'verstopfen' (to clog). In addition, verbs of movement such as 'fließen' (to flow) or 'laufen' (to run/flow) are often used to describe its function.
Herabgefallenes Laub hat die Rinne verstopft.
Fallen leaves have clogged the gutter.
canal / channel
'der Kanal' and 'die Rinne' can both refer to something through which water or another liquid is guided. The main difference is size and shape. A 'Kanal' is usually larger, artificially built, and can be a waterway for ships or an underground pipe for wastewater. A 'Rinne' is more likely to be narrow, open, and often on a surface, for example on a roof or along the side of a road. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with guiding water. As a simple guide: for large or closed systems, 'Kanal' is more suitable; for small, open depressions, 'Rinne' is more suitable.
Nach dem Regen läuft das Wasser durch die Rinne am Straßenrand.
After the rain, the water runs through the gutter along the side of the road.
Das Schiff fährt langsam durch den Kanal.
The ship moves slowly through the canal.