die Waage
scale
A device for measuring the weight of people or objects.
EXAMPLE
Um mein Gewicht zu kontrollieren, stelle ich mich jeden Morgen auf die Waage.
To check my weight, I step on the scale every morning.
die Waage
scale / Libra
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Meanings
sich die Waage halten
to balance out
Describes a state of balance in which two or more things are roughly equal in strength, size, or frequency.
EXAMPLE
In unserem Team halten sich die Erfolge und Misserfolge ungefähr die Waage.
In our team, successes and failures roughly balance each other out.
die Waage
Libra
One of the twelve signs of the zodiac in astrology, for people born between September 24 and October 23.
EXAMPLE
Ihr Sternzeichen ist Waage, genau wie das ihres Bruders.
Her zodiac sign is Libra, just like her brother's.
etwas auf die Goldwaage legen
to weigh every word
An idiom meaning that someone takes a statement excessively precisely, literally, or seriously.
EXAMPLE
Das war doch nur ein Scherz, du musst nicht jedes Wort auf die Goldwaage legen.
That was just a joke; you don't have to weigh every word so carefully.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Waage' (the scale) belongs to the word family of the verb 'wiegen' (to weigh). A scale is the instrument you use to weigh something in order to determine its weight.
EXAMPLE
Der Bäcker wiegt den Teig auf einer alten Waage.
The baker weighs the dough on an old scale.
Typical verbs
When referring to the measuring device, 'Waage' (scale) is often combined with certain verbs. People 'stellen sich auf die Waage' (step on the scale), while objects are 'auf die Waage legt' (placed on the scale).
EXAMPLE
Er stellt sich jeden Morgen auf die Waage.
He steps on the scale every morning.
Fixed expression
The expression 'sich die Waage halten' (to balance each other out) is a fixed unit. It describes two or more things being in balance. The subject is often plural.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Spiel halten sich Glück und Können die Waage.
In this game, luck and skill balance each other out.
Use as a zodiac sign
When 'Waage' (Libra) is used as a zodiac sign, the article is omitted. The typical sentence structure is: [person] ist Waage.
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder ist Waage, genau wie ich.
My brother is a Libra, just like me.
Fixed expression
The expression 'etwas auf die Goldwaage legen' means to take words with exaggerated precision. It is very often used in the negative to reassure someone.
EXAMPLE
Leg doch nicht jedes Wort von ihm auf die Goldwaage!
Don't weigh every word he says so carefully!
Compare with
Waage vs Gleichgewicht
balance / equilibrium
Gleichgewicht and “sich die Waage halten” both describe forces or sides that are roughly equal in strength. Gleichgewicht is the general term for this state, while die Waage is used here as part of a fixed expression. In most cases, use Gleichgewicht as a noun and “sich die Waage halten” in the appropriate expression.
Waage
Bei den beiden Mannschaften halten sich die Kräfte bis zur Pause die Waage.
The two teams’ strengths balanced each other out until halftime.
Gleichgewicht
Zwischen den beiden Mannschaften herrscht bis zur Pause ein ausgeglichenes Gleichgewicht.
The two teams remained evenly balanced until halftime.
In real life
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