01
die Sohle
sole
The bottom part of a shoe that has direct contact with the ground.
example
Der Schuster muss die abgelaufene Sohle meiner Stiefel erneuern.
The cobbler has to replace the worn-out sole of my boots.
die Sohle
sole
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Meaning from context
To recognize the correct meaning of 'Sohle' (sole), pay attention to the signal words in the sentence. 'Schuh' (shoe) or 'Stiefel' (boot) point to the shoe part, 'Fuß' (foot) to the body part, and words like 'essen' (to eat) or 'Restaurant' (restaurant) to the fish.
EXAMPLE
Die Sohlen meiner neuen Schuhe sind sehr bequem.
The soles of my new shoes are very comfortable.
Typical collocations (shoe)
When talking about shoes, people often speak of 'abgelaufenen' (worn-out), 'neuen' (new), or 'rutschfesten' (non-slip) soles. Typical verbs are 'besohlen' (to resole) or 'erneuern' (to replace/renew).
EXAMPLE
Der Schuster kann deine alten Schuhe neu besohlen.
The cobbler can resole your old shoes.
Typical collocations (foot)
In relation to the foot, 'Sohle' (sole) is often connected with sensations. Typical phrases are 'brennende Sohlen haben' (to have burning soles) or 'sich die Sohlen wund laufen' (to walk until the soles of one's feet are sore).
EXAMPLE
Beim Barfußlaufen auf dem heißen Asphalt habe ich mir fast die Sohlen verbrannt.
Walking barefoot on the hot asphalt, I almost burned the soles of my feet.
Colloquial metaphor
The term 'Sohle' (sole) for tough meat is a vivid and colloquial put-down. It compares the texture of the food to that of a tough shoe sole.
EXAMPLE
Das Steak war so trocken, es war eine einzige zähe Sohle.
The steak was so dry; it was just one tough piece of shoe leather.
Technical usage
The meaning 'Boden eines Tals oder Bergwerks' (floor of a valley or mine) is used almost only in the technical language of geography or mining. In everyday language, this use is very rare.
EXAMPLE
Die Geologen untersuchten die Beschaffenheit der Talsohle.
The geologists examined the structure of the valley floor.
Compare with
Sohle vs Grund
reason / ground
'der Grund' and 'die Sohle' can both refer to the lowest part of something, for example a body of water. In this sense, 'der Grund' is the more normal word, especially when talking about the bottom of a lake or sea. 'die Sohle' is more specialized in this meaning and sounds more technical, for example with a valley, a mine, or sometimes a body of water. The words can be confused because both mean the area 'at the bottom'. In everyday language, however, people usually say 'der Grund des Sees' (the bottom of the lake), not 'die Sohle des Sees'.
Sohle
Die Sohle des Tals bleibt im Winter lange im Schatten.
The valley floor stays in the shade for a long time in winter.
Grund
Am Grund des Sees liegen viele alte Äste.
There are many old branches at the bottom of the lake.
In real life
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