das Streichholz
match
A small wooden stick with a match head that catches fire when rubbed against a suitable surface.
EXAMPLE
Sie zündete die Kerze mit einem Streichholz an.
She lit the candle with a match.
das Streichholz
match
das Streichholz, die Streichhölzer
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Streichholz, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Streichhölzer |
| genitive | des Streichholzes |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Streichholz | die Streichhölzer |
| accusative | das Streichholz | die Streichhölzer |
| dative | dem Streichholz | den Streichhölzern |
| genitive | des Streichholzes | der Streichhölzer |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word composition
„Streichholz“ (match) consists of „Streich-“ and „Holz“ (wood). „Streich-“ belongs to the verb „streichen“ (to rub) and recalls the movement across the striking surface.
EXAMPLE
Sie strich das Streichholz über die Reibfläche der Schachtel.
She rubbed the match across the striking surface of the box.
Typical collocations
Typical collocations are „ein Streichholz anzünden“ (to light a match) and „ein Streichholz ausblasen“ (to blow out a match). You can use these to describe how the flame is created and how you extinguish it again.
EXAMPLE
Er zündete ein Streichholz an und blies es kurz darauf wieder aus.
He lit a match and blew it out again shortly afterward.
Packaging and quantity
A typical quantity expression is „eine Schachtel Streichhölzer“ (a box of matches). There is no preposition between „Schachtel“ (box) and „Streichhölzer“ (matches).
EXAMPLE
Für den Campingurlaub kaufte sie eine Schachtel Streichhölzer.
She bought a box of matches for the camping trip.
In real life
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