das Schnürchen
little string
A short or thin string; the diminutive form of „Schnur“ (string).
EXAMPLE
Sie band das Päckchen mit einem Schnürchen zu.
She tied the package up with a little string.
das Schnürchen
string
das Schnürchen, die Schnürchen
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Meanings
wie am Schnürchen laufen
to run like clockwork
To function or proceed completely smoothly and without any problems.
EXAMPLE
Bei der Veranstaltung lief alles wie am Schnürchen.
Everything at the event ran like clockwork.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Schnürchen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Schnürchen |
| genitive | des Schnürchens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Schnürchen | die Schnürchen |
| accusative | das Schnürchen | die Schnürchen |
| dative | dem Schnürchen | den Schnürchen |
| genitive | des Schnürchens | der Schnürchen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
„Schnürchen“ is made up of „Schnur“ (string) and the diminutive suffix „-chen“. When the word is formed, the „u“ in „Schnur“ changes to „ü“ through umlaut; it refers to a small string.
EXAMPLE
Für das Geschenk nahm sie ein rotes Schnürchen.
She used a little red string for the gift.
Typical usage
„Schnürchen“ is often used in expressions with activities such as tying, fastening, or pulling tight, especially with small objects or packages.
EXAMPLE
Das Preisschild war mit einem Schnürchen am Henkel festgemacht.
The price tag was fastened to the handle with a little string.
Fixed expression
In „wie am Schnürchen laufen“ (to run like clockwork), „Schnürchen“ is part of a fixed idiom. The subject is usually a process, plan, or event that functions without difficulties.
EXAMPLE
Nach einigen technischen Problemen lief die Präsentation schließlich wie am Schnürchen.
After a few technical problems, the presentation finally ran like clockwork.
In real life
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