zigzag
der Zickzack, die Zickzacke
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zigzag
A line, path, or movement with several sharp changes of direction, alternating between left and right.
Der Wanderweg führt in einem steilen Zickzack den Berg hinauf.
The hiking trail climbs the mountain in a steep zigzag.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Zickzacke |
| genitive | des Zickzacks |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Zickzack | die Zickzacke die Zickzacks |
| accusative | den Zickzack | die Zickzacke die Zickzacks |
| dative | dem Zickzack | den Zickzacken den Zickzacks |
| genitive | des Zickzacks des Zickzackes | der Zickzacke der Zickzacks |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
To describe a movement or route, 'Zickzack' (zigzag) is very often used with 'im': 'im Zickzack' (in a zigzag). This is usually followed by a verb describing movement or the course something takes.
Der Hase rannte im Zickzack über das Feld.
The hare ran across the field in a zigzag.
Common verbs used with 'Zickzack' (zigzag) include 'gehen' (to walk), 'laufen' (to run), 'fahren' (to drive or ride), and 'verlaufen' (to follow a course). In these combinations, the word specifically describes the course of a route or the direction of a movement.
Der Radfahrer musste im Zickzack um die großen Steine fahren.
The cyclist had to ride in a zigzag around the large rocks.
'Zickzack' (zigzag) often appears as the first part of compound words such as 'Zickzacklinie' (zigzag line), 'Zickzackmuster' (zigzag pattern), 'Zickzackstich' (zigzag stitch), and 'Zickzackkurs' (zigzag course). 'Zickzackkurs' is also used figuratively for an approach involving frequent changes of direction.
Für den Saum stellte sie an der Nähmaschine den Zickzackstich ein und nähte im Zickzack.
For the hem, she set the sewing machine to the zigzag stitch and sewed in a zigzag.
