string player / strings / painter
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string player
A musician who plays a string instrument such as the violin, viola, cello, or double bass.
Das Orchester sucht für die kommende Saison noch erfahrene Streicher.
The orchestra is still looking for experienced string players for the coming season.
'Streicher' derives from the verb 'streichen' (to stroke; to paint). The ending '-er' refers to a person who performs the action. This explains the different meanings: someone who strokes the bow across the strings (musician), or someone who moves a brush across a wall (painter).
Er ist ein begabter Streicher und spielt Cello im Philharmonieorchester.
He is a talented string player and plays cello in the philharmonic orchestra.
You can clearly tell which meaning is intended from the context. Words like 'Orchester' (orchestra), 'Geige' (violin), or 'Musik' (music) point to the musician. Words like 'Farbe' (paint), 'Wand' (wall), or 'renovieren' (to renovate) point to the painter.
Für das Konzert fehlen uns noch zwei Streicher.
We still need two string players for the concert.
In a musical context, the plural 'die Streicher' (the strings) is often used as a collective term for the entire string section of an orchestra (violins, violas, cellos, double basses).
In Beethovens fünfter Sinfonie haben die Streicher eine sehr dominante Rolle.
In Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, the strings have a very dominant role.
The meaning 'Anstreicher' (house painter) or 'Maler' (painter) is rather rare today and can sound outdated or regional. In most parts of Germany, other terms are preferred.
Mein Urgroßvater war von Beruf Streicher und hat Fassaden bemalt.
My great-grandfather was a painter by profession and painted facades.
painter
'der Maler' and 'der Streicher' can both mean a person who applies paint to walls or objects. In everyday language, 'der Maler' is the normal and clear word for this, especially for the profession. 'der Streicher' in this meaning is less common or regional. In addition, 'der Streicher' very often means a musician who plays the violin, cello, or another string instrument. Learners may confuse the words because 'streichen' can also mean to apply paint. When you are talking about walls and renovation, 'Maler' is almost always the safer choice.
In manchen Regionen sagt man noch Streicher zu einem Handwerker, der Wände anstreicht.
In some regions, people still say Streicher for a tradesperson who paints walls.
Für das Schlafzimmer haben wir einen Maler bestellt.
We booked a painter for the bedroom.