die Sense
scythe
An agricultural tool with a long handle and a long, curved blade for mowing grass or grain by hand.
EXAMPLE
Früher mähte der Bauer die Wiese mit der Sense.
In the past, the farmer mowed the meadow with a scythe.
die Sense
scythe
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Meanings
die Sense
scythe
As a symbol of death, often depicted as an attribute of the Grim Reaper.
EXAMPLE
In alten Darstellungen trägt der Tod oft eine Sense über der Schulter.
In old depictions, Death often carries a scythe over his shoulder.
Usage tips
False friend
Careful, 'die Sense' (the scythe) is a false friend! It does not mean 'Sinn' (meaning/sense) or 'Gefühl' (feeling) like the English word 'sense'. The German word refers to the long, curved mowing tool.
EXAMPLE
Der Bauer schärfte die Klinge seiner Sense.
The farmer sharpened the blade of his scythe.
Typical collocations
The typical verb used with 'Sense' (scythe) is 'mähen' (to mow). The fixed collocation is 'mit der Sense mähen' (to mow with a scythe).
EXAMPLE
Mein Großvater hat mir gezeigt, wie man Gras mit der Sense mäht.
My grandfather showed me how to mow grass with a scythe.
Cultural context
As a symbol, the scythe is inseparably linked with the figure of the 'Sensenmann' (Grim Reaper). In this role, it represents death, which 'mows down' life.
EXAMPLE
In dem alten Märchen erscheint der Tod als Mann mit einer Sense.
In the old fairy tale, Death appears as a man with a scythe.
In real life
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