der Zipfel
tip / corner
The tapering, pointed end of something, for example of a cloth, a sausage, or a cap.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze spielte mit dem Zipfel der Tischdecke.
The cat played with the corner of the tablecloth.
der Zipfel
tip / corner
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Meanings
der Zipfel
remote corner
A small, remote, or protruding part of an area or country.
EXAMPLE
Sie wohnen im hintersten Zipfel des Tals, wo kaum jemand hinkommt.
They live in the farthest corner of the valley, where hardly anyone goes.
jemanden am Zipfel kriegen
to just catch someone
A colloquial expression meaning to just manage to catch or get hold of someone.
EXAMPLE
Der Dieb rannte weg, aber der Polizist konnte ihn noch am Zipfel kriegen.
The thief ran away, but the police officer was still able to just catch him.
Usage tips
Use with genitive
To say what something is the 'Zipfel' (tip/corner) of, you usually use the genitive or the preposition 'von' (of/from). Both are grammatically correct.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, der Zipfel deiner Jacke hängt aus der Autotür.
Watch out, the corner of your jacket is hanging out of the car door.
Typical adjectives
In the geographical meaning, 'Zipfel' is often combined with adjectives such as 'klein' (small), 'abgelegen' (remote), 'entlegen' (remote), or 'hinterster' (farthest/backmost) to emphasize how secluded a place is.
EXAMPLE
Sein Heimatdorf liegt in einem entlegenen Zipfel der Alpen.
His home village lies in a remote corner of the Alps.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'jemanden am Zipfel kriegen' is a fixed unit. It means to just manage to get hold of a person who had actually almost escaped.
EXAMPLE
Ich dachte, er wäre schon weg, aber ich habe ihn am Ausgang noch am Zipfel gekriegt.
I thought he had already left, but I just caught him at the exit.
Register: colloquial
The expression 'jemanden am Zipfel kriegen' clearly belongs to colloquial speech. In formal or written contexts, you would generally avoid it.
EXAMPLE
Beeil dich, sonst kriegen wir den Bus nicht mehr am Zipfel!
Hurry up, otherwise we won't catch the bus!
Compare with
Zipfel vs Spitze
tip / top / lace
Spitze and Zipfel can both refer to a pointed, tapering end. Spitze usually means the outermost narrow point of an object. Zipfel tends to refer to a small end piece that sticks out or hangs down, for example on a cloth or cap.
Zipfel
Der Zipfel des Tuchs hängt über die Tischkante.
The corner of the cloth hangs over the edge of the table.
Spitze
Die Spitze des Bleistifts ist nach dem Schreiben stumpf.
The tip of the pencil became blunt after writing.
In real life
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