01
die Seide
silk
A fine, shiny thread produced by the larva of the silkworm to make its cocoon.
example
Echte Seide wird aus den Kokons von Seidenraupen gewonnen.
Real silk is obtained from the cocoons of silkworms.
die Seide
silk
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Use as a material
As a material name, 'Seide' (silk) is often used with the preposition 'aus' (made of/from) to describe what something is made of. In this case, the word often appears without an article.
EXAMPLE
Ihr Tuch ist aus reiner Seide gefertigt.
Her scarf is made of pure silk.
Mostly singular
As a material term, 'Seide' (silk) is an uncountable noun and is almost always used in the singular. The plural 'die Seiden' is rare and describes only different types of silk.
EXAMPLE
Für die neue Kollektion wurden nur die feinsten Seiden aus Asien importiert.
Only the finest silks from Asia were imported for the new collection.
Typical adjectives
To emphasize the high quality of the fabric, 'Seide' (silk) is often combined with adjectives such as 'rein' (pure), 'echt' (real/genuine), or 'fein' (fine).
EXAMPLE
Dieser Schal aus echter Seide war ein teures Geschenk.
This scarf made of real silk was an expensive gift.
Compare with
Seide vs Kaschmir
cashmere
'Seide' (silk) and 'Kaschmir' (cashmere) are both fine, soft materials for clothing and fabrics. They often seem high-quality and feel pleasant on the skin. The most important difference is their origin and feel: 'Seide' is a smooth, slightly shiny fabric made from silk threads. 'Kaschmir' is a very soft wool from the undercoat of the cashmere goat and provides more warmth. The words can be confused because both stand for expensive, fine clothing. For a shiny scarf or a blouse, 'Seide' fits better; for a warm sweater or scarf, 'Kaschmir' is the better choice.
Seide
Das Kleid aus Seide glänzt leicht und fühlt sich sehr glatt an.
The silk dress has a slight shine and feels very smooth.
Kaschmir
Im Winter trägt meine Mutter gern einen Schal aus Kaschmir.
In winter, my mother likes to wear a cashmere scarf.
In real life
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