rod / tail / penis
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rod / switch
A thin, flexible twig or stick cut from a tree or shrub. Historically, it was used for corporal punishment.
Der Gärtner schnitt sich eine Rute, um die jungen Bäume abzustützen.
The gardener cut himself a rod to support the young trees.
fishing rod
Short form of 'Angelrute' (fishing rod); a device for catching fish.
Er warf seine Rute aus und wartete geduldig am Ufer.
He cast out his fishing rod and waited patiently on the bank.
tail
The tail of certain mammals, especially dogs or foxes.
Der Hund wedelte aufgeregt mit der Rute, als sein Besitzer nach Hause kam.
The dog excitedly wagged its tail when its owner came home.
penis
A colloquial, vulgar expression for the penis.
In der derben Komödie gab es einige Witze über die männliche Rute.
In the crude comedy, there were a few jokes about the male penis.
rod
An old unit of length or area whose exact size varied by region.
Das Grundstück war laut der alten Urkunde zehn Ruten lang.
According to the old deed, the property was ten rods long.
Because 'Rute' has many meanings, context is crucial. Pay attention to signal words: 'Hund' (dog) or 'wedeln' (to wag) point to an animal's tail, while 'angeln' (to fish) or 'Fisch' (fish) refer to a fishing rod.
Der Fuchs verschwand mit buschiger Rute im Wald.
The fox disappeared into the forest with its bushy tail.
In the meaning 'Tierschwanz' (animal tail), the most common and important collocation is 'mit der Rute wedeln' (to wag one's tail). This phrase is used almost exclusively for dogs to express joy or excitement.
Sobald ich die Leine nehme, fängt mein Hund an, mit der Rute zu wedeln.
As soon as I pick up the leash, my dog starts wagging its tail.
When 'Rute' means a fishing rod, a typical action is 'die Rute auswerfen' (to cast the fishing rod). This describes the movement used to get the bait into the water.
Der Angler warf seine Rute immer wieder an derselben Stelle aus.
The angler cast his fishing rod again and again in the same spot.
The use of 'Rute' for the male sexual organ belongs to vulgar or colloquial language. In most situations, this expression is inappropriate and should be avoided.
Der Comedian machte einen derben Witz über die Rute eines Mannes.
The comedian made a crude joke about a man's penis.
The meaning 'dünner Stock' (thin stick) is rather rare today and is often found in historical stories, fairy tales, or in connection with old methods of child-rearing. Here, the 'Rute' was a symbol of punishment.
In alten Geschichten wurden unartige Kinder mit der Rute bestraft.
In old stories, naughty children were punished with the rod.
fishing rod / hinge
When fishing, both words can refer to the same equipment. Angel usually refers to the complete setup consisting of a rod, line, and hook, while Rute more precisely refers to the long, flexible rod. Use Angel for the complete equipment and Rute when only the rod itself is meant.
Zum Angeln suchte er eine leichte Rute aus, an der er die Schnur befestigte.
For fishing, he chose a light rod to which he attached the line.
Zum Angeln nahm er eine Angel mit Schnur, Haken und Köder mit.
He brought a fishing rod with a line, hook, and bait for fishing.
