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.
tower
'der Turm' and 'der Wolkenkratzer' can both refer to very tall structures. 'Turm' is more general and also fits churches, castles, or observation towers. 'Wolkenkratzer' is used only for especially tall buildings with many floors, usually in big cities. The word emphasizes that the building clearly towers over its surroundings. The confusion arises because a skyscraper can look tower-like. But not every tower is a skyscraper, and a church tower is normally not called a 'Wolkenkratzer'.
Die Gäste haben am Morgen den höchsten Wolkenkratzer der Stadt besichtigt.
In the morning, the guests visited the tallest skyscraper in the city.
Wir besuchen im Urlaub den Turm der alten Burg.
On vacation, we visit the tower of the old castle.