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.
splinter
(regional, colloquial) A small, sharp splinter of wood or another material that has entered the skin. In other regions, the word 'Splitter' is used for this.
Aua, ich habe mir beim Holzhacken einen Schiefer in den Finger gezogen!
Ow, I got a splinter in my finger while chopping wood!
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.
splinter
Both Splitter and Schiefer can refer to a small, sharp object of wood or another material that has entered the skin. Splitter is the word used throughout the German-speaking region, while Schiefer is used regionally and colloquially in this sense. In standard German, Splitter is the safe choice; regionally, Schiefer may also be appropriate.
Ich habe mir beim Reparieren einen Schiefer in den Finger gezogen.
I got a splinter in my finger while making repairs.
Ich habe mir beim Reparieren einen Splitter in den Finger gezogen.
I got a splinter in my finger while making repairs.
