01
der Strich
line / stroke
A usually thin and straight line drawn with a writing or drawing instrument.
example
Bitte ziehe einen Strich unter das Ergebnis der Rechnung.
Please draw a line under the result of the calculation.
der Strich
line / stroke
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Der Strich' (the line/stroke) belongs to the word family of the verb 'streichen' (to stroke; to paint; to cross out). A 'Strich' is the result when you move a pen across a piece of paper.
EXAMPLE
Er strich den falschen Satz mit einem roten Strich durch.
He crossed out the wrong sentence with a red line.
Typical collocations
In its basic meaning, 'Strich' (line/stroke) is often combined with the verbs 'ziehen' (to draw) or 'machen' (to make). A very common compound is also 'der Strichcode' (barcode) on products.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mit dem Lineal einen geraden Strich ziehen?
Can you draw a straight line with the ruler?
Fixed expression
The expression 'auf den Strich gehen' (to work the streets) is a fixed idiom and a colloquial expression for engaging in street prostitution. It is used only in this specific context.
EXAMPLE
Der Film handelt von jungen Menschen, die gezwungen werden, auf den Strich zu gehen.
The film is about young people who are forced to work the streets.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'einen Strich unter etwas ziehen' (to draw a line under something) means to consider something finished. The thing being ended comes after the preposition 'unter' in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Streit zogen sie einen Strich unter die Vergangenheit und vertrugen sich wieder.
After the argument, they drew a line under the past and made up again.
Dative construction
The idiom 'jemandem gegen den Strich gehen' (to go against someone's grain) uses the dative. The person who finds something unpleasant is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Es geht mir gegen den Strich, wenn Leute im Zug laut telefonieren.
It goes against the grain for me when people talk loudly on the phone on the train.
Compare with
Strich vs Punkt
point
'der Punkt' and 'der Strich' both refer to small marks that you can write or draw. The difference lies in the shape: a 'Punkt' is small and round, while a 'Strich' is a line. In this sense, they are clearly opposites. They can be confused if you are only talking generally about marks on paper. If you mean a short mark like a small spot, 'Punkt' fits. If you mean a drawn line, 'Strich' fits.
Strich
Mein Vater zieht einen geraden Strich unter die Rechnung.
My father draws a straight line under the bill.
Punkt
Setz bitte einen Punkt ans Ende des Satzes.
Please put a period at the end of the sentence.
In real life
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