column / crack
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column
A vertical section on a page, in a table, or in a newspaper that contains text or data.
Die Telefonnummern finden Sie in der ganz rechten Spalte der Liste.
You will find the phone numbers in the far-right column of the list.
crack / crevice
A long, narrow crack or opening in a solid material such as rock, wood, or a wall.
Durch eine tiefe Spalte in der Felswand drang kaum Licht.
Hardly any light came through a deep crevice in the rock face.
'Die Spalte' is closely related to the verb 'spalten' (to split), which means 'to divide' or 'to separate'. So a 'Spalte' is always the result of a division—either a page into text sections or a material through a crack.
Ein Blitz hat den alten Baumstamm gespalten.
A bolt of lightning split the old tree trunk.
The context makes the meaning clear. If people are talking about text, newspapers, tables, or lists, it means a text column. If they are talking about rocks, walls, or wood, it means a crack or opening.
Bitte tragen Sie Ihren Namen in die linke Spalte ein.
Please enter your name in the left column.
In the context of text and data, 'Spalte' (column) is often combined with ordinal numbers and location phrases, for example 'in der ersten Spalte' (in the first column), 'in der letzten Spalte' (in the last column), or 'in der Spalte rechts' (in the column on the right).
Die Summe steht ganz unten in der rechten Spalte.
The total is at the very bottom of the right column.
crack / rift
Both words can refer to a long, narrow opening in a wall or another solid material. “Der Riss” focuses more on the line of the break, while “die Spalte” highlights the open depression created by it. “Riss” is appropriate for a visible line of breakage, while “Spalte” is more suitable for an open depression.
Nach dem Erdbeben klaffte eine schmale Spalte in der Mauer.
After the earthquake, a narrow gap gaped open in the wall.
Nach dem Erdbeben zog sich ein langer Riss durch die Mauer.
After the earthquake, a long crack ran through the wall.
