skyscraper
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skyscraper
A particularly tall, multi-story building that clearly towers over the surrounding buildings.
In Dubai stehen einige der höchsten Wolkenkratzer der Welt.
Some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world are in Dubai.
The word is a figurative compound made up of 'Wolken' (clouds) and 'kratzen' (to scratch). So it describes a building that is so tall that it seems as if it were scratching the clouds.
Die Skyline von New York ist berühmt für ihre vielen Wolkenkratzer.
The New York skyline is famous for its many skyscrapers.
The base word 'kratzen' (to scratch) also appears in other words. A 'Kratzer' (scratcher / scratch) is the person or thing that scratches, as with the tall building here.
Meine Katze hat einen tiefen Kratzer auf dem Holztisch hinterlassen.
My cat left a deep scratch on the wooden table.
Common verbs used with 'Wolkenkratzer' (skyscraper) are 'einen Wolkenkratzer bauen' (to build a skyscraper), 'in einem Wolkenkratzer arbeiten' (to work in a skyscraper), or 'die Aussicht von einem Wolkenkratzer genießen' (to enjoy the view from a skyscraper).
Viele Menschen träumen davon, in einem Wolkenkratzer mit Blick über die Stadt zu wohnen.
Many people dream of living in a skyscraper with a view over the city.
high-rise
A Hochhaus and a Wolkenkratzer are both very tall buildings with many floors. Hochhaus is the neutral, broader term and also applies to buildings of less extreme height; Wolkenkratzer usually refers to an especially tall building that clearly towers over its surroundings and often sounds more vivid. Use Hochhaus in general and Wolkenkratzer for exceptional height.
Der Wolkenkratzer überragt alle anderen Gebäude der Stadt deutlich.
The skyscraper towers clearly over all the other buildings in the city.
In dem neuen Hochhaus am Stadtrand befinden sich Wohnungen und Büros.
The new high-rise on the outskirts contains apartments and offices.
