der Sattel
saddle
A seat for a rider on the back of a horse or another riding animal.
EXAMPLE
Sie legte dem Pferd den Sattel auf und zog den Gurt fest.
She put the saddle on the horse and tightened the girth.
der Sattel
saddle
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Meanings
der Sattel
seat / saddle
The seat on a bicycle or motorcycle.
EXAMPLE
Nach einer langen Radtour tat mir der harte Sattel weh.
After a long bike ride, the hard saddle made me sore.
fest im Sattel sitzen
to be firmly in the saddle
To hold a secure, unchallenged position in an office or role.
EXAMPLE
Trotz der internen Kritik sitzt die Chefin weiterhin fest im Sattel.
Despite the internal criticism, the boss is still firmly in the saddle.
der Sattel
saddle
In geography, a dip or pass between two mountain peaks.
EXAMPLE
Vom Sattel aus hatten wir eine wunderbare Aussicht in beide Täler.
From the saddle, we had a wonderful view into both valleys.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'satteln' (to saddle) is derived from the noun 'der Sattel' (saddle). It means to put a saddle on a horse. The expression 'umsatteln' (to change saddles) means, figuratively, to change one’s profession or field.
EXAMPLE
Bevor wir losreiten können, müssen wir die Pferde satteln.
Before we can ride off, we have to saddle the horses.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'fest im Sattel sitzen' (to be firmly in the saddle) means to have a very secure and unchallenged professional or political position. The image is that of a rider who cannot fall off the horse.
EXAMPLE
Obwohl es viel Kritik gab, sitzt der Minister weiterhin fest im Sattel.
Although there was a lot of criticism, the minister is still firmly in the saddle.
Context clue
You can tell which meaning of 'Sattel' (saddle) is intended from the context. Words like 'Pferd' (horse) or 'reiten' (to ride) point to a riding saddle, 'Fahrrad' (bicycle) to a bicycle seat, and 'Berg' (mountain) or 'Gipfel' (peak) to the geographical form.
EXAMPLE
Der Sattel meines Fahrrads ist sehr unbequem.
The saddle on my bike is very uncomfortable.
Typical collocations
In connection with horses, typical expressions are 'den Sattel auflegen' (to put on the saddle) or simply 'im Sattel sitzen' (to sit in the saddle). The person riding is also referred to as a 'Reiter im Sattel' (rider in the saddle).
EXAMPLE
Schon als Kind saß sie sicher im Sattel.
Even as a child, she sat securely in the saddle.
Compare with
Sattel vs Sitz
seat / headquarters
Sitz is the general term for a place to sit. Sattel, by contrast, refers specifically to the seat on a riding animal, bicycle, or motorcycle. Use Sitz for a place in a car or bus, and Sattel when riding or cycling.
Sattel
Vor der Fahrt stellt sie den Sattel am Fahrrad richtig ein.
Before the ride, she adjusts the saddle on the bicycle properly.
Sitz
Vor der Fahrt stellt sie den Sitz im Auto richtig ein.
Before the journey, she adjusts the seat in the car properly.
In real life
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