der Strahl
beam
A narrow, straight band of light that comes from a source or falls on an object.
EXAMPLE
Ein heller Strahl fiel durch das Fenster.
A bright beam of light fell through the window.
der Strahl
beam / jet / ray
der Strahl, die Strahlen
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Meanings
der Strahl
jet
A concentrated stream or directed flow of liquid or gas coming out of an opening.
EXAMPLE
Aus dem Schlauch schoss ein kräftiger Strahl Wasser.
A powerful jet of water shot out of the hose.
der Strahl
beam
A directed flow of energy or particles, especially in the form of radioactive or electromagnetic radiation, or radiation used in technology.
EXAMPLE
Der Strahl des Lasers darf nicht in die Augen gelangen.
The laser beam must not enter anyone's eyes.
der Strahl
ray
In mathematics, a straight line that has a starting point and extends infinitely in one direction.
EXAMPLE
Der Strahl beginnt im Punkt A und verläuft durch den Punkt B.
The ray starts at point A and passes through point B.
der Strahl
frog
The wedge-shaped area of soft horn on the underside of a horse's hoof.
EXAMPLE
Der Hufschmied untersuchte den Strahl des Pferdes.
The farrier examined the frog of the horse's hoof.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Strahl, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Strahlen |
| genitive | des Strahles |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Strahl | die Strahlen |
| accusative | den Strahl | die Strahlen |
| dative | dem Strahl | den Strahlen |
| genitive | des Strahles des Strahls | der Strahlen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Der Strahl' (beam / jet / ray) belongs to the same word family as 'strahlen' (to shine / radiate). This connection helps you remember it: something that shines or radiates can emit a directed beam of light, energy, or particles.
EXAMPLE
Die Sonne strahlte, und ihre Strahlen wärmten die Terrasse.
The sun was shining, and its rays warmed the terrace.
Light-related collocations
When referring to light, 'Strahl' (beam) often occurs with words such as 'Licht' (light), 'Sonne' (sun), 'Mond' (moon), or 'Laser' (laser). Combinations such as 'ein heller Strahl' (a bright beam) and 'ein schmaler Strahl' (a narrow beam) are also typical.
EXAMPLE
Ein schmaler Strahl Sonnenlicht fiel auf den staubigen Dachboden.
A narrow beam of sunlight fell into the dusty attic.
Flow of liquid
With liquids, 'Strahl' (jet) often describes the shape and direction of water or another liquid as it comes out. Typical combinations are 'ein kräftiger Strahl' (a powerful jet), 'ein dünner Strahl' (a thin jet), and 'ein Strahl aus der Düse' (a jet from the nozzle).
EXAMPLE
Ein dünner Strahl aus der Düse traf genau die markierte Stelle.
A thin jet from the nozzle hit the marked spot exactly.
Technical context
In technical and scientific texts, 'Strahl' (beam) often occurs with information about energy or particles. Keywords such as 'Laser' (laser), 'radioaktiv' (radioactive), 'elektromagnetisch' (electromagnetic), or 'Teilchen' (particles) indicate this meaning.
EXAMPLE
Der Techniker schaltete den Strahl ab, bevor er das Gerät öffnete.
The technician switched off the beam before opening the device.
Use in geometry
In geometry, a 'Strahl' (ray) is often described by its starting point. Typical phrases are 'ein Strahl mit dem Anfangspunkt ...' (a ray with the starting point ...) and 'ein Strahl geht von ... aus' (a ray starts at ...).
EXAMPLE
Zeichnen Sie zwei Strahlen mit demselben Anfangspunkt, die einen rechten Winkel bilden.
Draw two rays with the same starting point that form a right angle.
Horse hoof terminology
The hoof-related meaning of 'Strahl' (frog) is mainly used in specialist language concerning horse care and horseshoeing. Words such as 'Huf' (hoof), 'Hufschmied' (farrier), 'Hufbeschlag' (horseshoeing), and 'Pferd' (horse) indicate this specific context.
EXAMPLE
Steht ein Pferd oft auf nassem Boden, kann der Strahl am Huf faulen.
If a horse often stands on wet ground, the frog of its hoof can rot.
In real life
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