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
die Sohle
sole
The underside of a human or animal foot.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Wanderung brannten mir die Sohlen.
After the long hike, the soles of my feet were burning.
die Sohle
sole
A flatfish with firm, white flesh that is highly valued as a food fish.
EXAMPLE
Im Restaurant bestellte sie eine gebratene Sohle mit Salzkartoffeln.
At the restaurant, she ordered fried sole with boiled potatoes.
die Sohle
shoe leather
A colloquial, derogatory term for a tough, dry piece of fried or grilled meat.
EXAMPLE
Das Schnitzel war leider eine total zähe Sohle.
Unfortunately, the schnitzel was a really tough piece of shoe leather.
die Sohle
bottom / bed
The lowest area or floor of a valley, a mine tunnel, or a body of water.
EXAMPLE
Die Bergleute erreichten die tiefste Sohle des Bergwerks.
The miners reached the deepest level of the mine.
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 Unterseite
underside
Die Unterseite generally describes the downward-facing surface of an object. Sohle, by contrast, is the usual term for the bottom part of a shoe that touches the ground. For a shoe, Sohle is therefore usually the more appropriate and precise choice.
Sohle
Die Sohle des Schuhs ist nach dem Spaziergang voller Sand.
The sole of the shoe is full of sand after the walk.
Unterseite
Die Unterseite des Schuhs ist nach dem Spaziergang voller Sand.
The underside of the shoe is full of sand after the walk.
In real life
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