slate / splinter
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slate
A type of rock that can easily be split into thin slabs and is often used for roofs, floors, or formerly for school writing tablets.
Das Dach des alten Hauses ist mit dunklem Schiefer gedeckt.
The roof of the old house is covered with dark slate.
The two meanings are easy to distinguish from context. If it is about architecture, geology, or material, the rock is meant. If it is about a small injury from wood, the splinter is meant.
Dieses historische Gebäude hat ein Dach aus echtem Schiefer.
This historic building has a roof made of real slate.
In connection with the rock, typical phrases are 'aus Schiefer sein' (to be made of slate), 'mit Schiefer decken' (to cover with slate), or the compound 'die Schiefertafel' (slate writing tablet).
Früher schrieben die Kinder in der Schule auf Schiefertafeln.
In the past, children wrote on slate tablets at school.
The meaning 'Splitter' (splinter) is regional and is used mainly in parts of western and southwestern Germany. In many other regions, this word is unknown for that meaning.
Vorsicht mit dem alten Holz, du ziehst dir leicht einen Schiefer ein.
Be careful with the old wood; you can easily get a splinter.
When 'Schiefer' means a splinter, the phrase 'sich einen Schiefer einziehen' or 'sich einen Schiefer zuziehen' (to get a splinter) is often used.
Ich habe mir beim Tragen der Holzkiste einen Schiefer eingezogen.
I got a splinter while carrying the wooden crate.
sandstone
'der Sandstein' and 'der Schiefer' are both types of rock and can be confused when talking about building. 'Sandstein' consists of cemented grains of sand and is often used for buildings or sculptures. 'Schiefer' is a rock that can easily be split into thin slabs, which makes it especially suitable for roofs or floors. So the words are not interchangeable. If you mean the grainy structure and the building material, you say 'Sandstein'. If thin stone slabs are important, 'Schiefer' is more precise.
Auf dem Dach liegen dunkle Platten aus Schiefer.
There are dark slabs of slate on the roof.
Die alte Kirche wurde aus hellem Sandstein gebaut.
The old church was built from light-colored sandstone.