das Segel
sail
A large piece of cloth made of sturdy fabric that is attached to a mast in order to propel a ship using the force of the wind.
EXAMPLE
Der starke Wind blähte das weiße Segel des Bootes.
The strong wind filled the boat's white sail.
das Segel
sail
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
die Segel streichen
to give up
A fixed expression meaning to give up, capitulate, or consider a plan to have failed.
EXAMPLE
Angesichts der unüberwindbaren Schwierigkeiten musste er die Segel streichen.
In view of the insurmountable difficulties, he had to give up.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'das Segel' (sail) is the basis for the verb 'segeln' (to sail). When you sail, you travel in a sailboat.
EXAMPLE
Im Sommer segeln wir oft auf dem See.
In summer, we often sail on the lake.
Typical collocations
In connection with sailboats, there are fixed verb combinations. You can 'die Segel setzen' or 'hissen' (to set/hoist the sails, in order to set off) and 'die Segel einholen' or 'bergen' (to take in/lower the sails, in order to stop).
EXAMPLE
Als der Wind stärker wurde, mussten wir die Segel einholen.
When the wind got stronger, we had to take in the sails.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'die Segel streichen' means 'to give up' or 'to capitulate'. In this expression, 'die Segel' remains unchanged; only the verb 'streichen' is conjugated.
EXAMPLE
Nachdem sein Plan zum dritten Mal scheiterte, strich er die Segel.
After his plan failed for the third time, he gave up.
Compare with
Segel vs Siegel
seal
Das Siegel is an official impression used for confirmation or security, whereas das Segel is a piece of cloth used to propel a ship. The words sound similar but refer to completely different objects. A document context points to Siegel, while a maritime context points to Segel.
Segel
Der Restaurator prüft vorsichtig das Segel am alten Schiff.
The restorer carefully examines the sail on the old ship.
Siegel
Der Restaurator prüft vorsichtig das Siegel am alten Dokument.
The restorer carefully examines the seal on the old document.
In real life
Loading video examples...