der Zaun
fence
A structure made of wood, metal, or wire that marks off a property or an area.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachbarn haben einen neuen Zaun um ihren Garten gezogen.
The neighbors have put up a new fence around their garden.
der Zaun
fence
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Meanings
mit dem Zaunpfahl winken
to drop a huge hint
To give a very clear hint that is almost impossible to miss.
EXAMPLE
Er hat mit dem Zaunpfahl gewinkt, dass es Zeit sei zu gehen, aber die Gäste blieben einfach sitzen.
He dropped a huge hint that it was time to leave, but the guests simply stayed seated.
Usage tips
Typical verbs
Verbs that describe creating or putting something up are often used with 'Zaun' (fence). Typical phrases are 'einen Zaun bauen' (to build a fence), 'einen Zaun errichten' (to erect a fence), or, more colloquially, 'einen Zaun ziehen' (to put up a fence).
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen um den Garten einen neuen Zaun bauen.
We need to build a new fence around the garden.
Prepositions and case
Pay attention to the case after prepositions. Movement is expressed with the accusative, while position is expressed with the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Ball flog über den Zaun.
The ball flew over the fence.
Structure of the expression
The idiom 'mit dem Zaunpfahl winken' (to wave with the fence post / to drop a huge hint) uses a part of the fence, the 'Zaunpfahl' (fence post). The image of such a large object as a 'Wink' (hint) makes it clear that the hint is extremely obvious.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat mit dem Zaunpfahl gewinkt, indem sie ständig auf ihre Uhr schaute.
She dropped a huge hint by constantly looking at her watch.
Compare with
Zaun vs Absperrung
barrier / closure
A Zaun and an Absperrung can both mark off an area. Zaun primarily refers to the structure made of wood, metal, or wire; Absperrung emphasizes its function of preventing or controlling access and is often used for temporary barriers.
Zaun
Ein hoher Zaun aus Metall grenzt die Baustelle vom Gehweg ab.
A tall metal fence separates the construction site from the sidewalk.
Absperrung
Eine mobile Absperrung aus Metall verhindert vorübergehend den Zugang zur Baustelle.
A mobile metal barrier temporarily prevents access to the construction site.
In real life
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