der  Draht

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/dʁaːt/

📖 What exactly is *'der Draht'*?

In its primary meaning, der Draht refers to a thin, elongated, and usually flexible strand of metal. It's used for various purposes, from electricity and crafts to art.

• Example 1 (Technology): A Kupferdraht (copper wire) conducts electricity.
• Example 2 (Crafts): Flowers are held together with Bindedraht (binding wire).
• Example 3 (Everyday): A Zaun (fence) often consists of Maschendraht (wire mesh) or Stacheldraht (barbed wire).

Figuratively, der Draht also stands for a connection or line of communication:

• "Einen guten Draht zu jemandem haben" means to have a good relationship or rapport with someone.
• "Auf Draht sein" means to be alert, quick-witted, or well-informed (*to be on the ball*).
• A "heißer Draht" (*hot wire*) is a direct (phone) line, often for emergencies or important information (a *hotline*).

🚨 There are no traps with this word; it's always masculine: der Draht.

📚 Grammar Corner: Declining *der Draht*

Der Draht is a masculine noun. Its plural is die Drähte. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Singular (*Einzahl*)

Plural (*Mehrzahl*)

Examples (*Beispiele*)

1. Der Draht ist sehr dünn. (The wire is very thin.)
2. Ich benötige den Draht für die Reparatur. (I need the wire for the repair.)
3. Er verband die Enden mit dem Draht. (He connected the ends with the wire.)
4. Die Isolierung des Drahtes ist beschädigt. (The wire's insulation is damaged.)
5. Überall liegen lose Drähte herum. (Loose wires are lying around everywhere.)
6. Sie hat einen guten Draht zu ihren Kollegen. (She has a good connection/rapport with her colleagues.)

💬 How to use *'Draht'*?

Der Draht is very commonly used in technical and manual contexts:

• Electricity & Electronics: Kabel (cables), Leitungen (lines), Schaltungen (circuits) (e.g., Kupferdraht - copper wire, Lötdraht - solder wire).
• Construction & Garden: Zäune (fences), Befestigungen (fastenings), Rankhilfen (climbing supports) (e.g., Stacheldraht - barbed wire, Bindedraht - binding wire, Maschendraht - wire mesh).
• Crafts & Art: Schmuckherstellung (jewelry making), Skulpturen (sculptures), Modellbau (model building) (e.g., Silberdraht - silver wire, Basteldraht - craft wire).

In a figurative sense, *Draht* is also common, especially in fixed expressions:

• Interpersonal relationships: "einen guten Draht haben" describes a positive connection.
• Information flow: "ein heißer Draht" represents a direct line of communication (e.g., a hotline to the police or an editorial office).
• Mental state: "auf Draht sein" means to be alert and attentive (*to be on the ball*).
• Exercising influence (often negative): "die Drähte ziehen" means to pull the strings, often behind the scenes (*to be the puppet master*).

⚠️ Don't confuse *Draht* (wire) with *Kabel* (cable). A *Kabel* often contains multiple insulated *Drähte* within a common sheath.

💡 Mnemonics for *'der Draht'*

Mnemonic for the article: Think of der Engineer or der Electrician – masculine professions that work with wire. It's der Draht.

Mnemonic for the meaning: A Draht often looks drawn out (like the letters D-R-T) and leads somewhere – either electricity or a connection (a good *Draht* to someone).

⚖️ Synonyms & Antonyms for *'Draht'*

☝️ Note: Although similar, *Kabel* and *Draht* are not always interchangeable. A *Draht* is typically a single strand, while a *Kabel* can contain many *Drähte*.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum war der Elektriker so entspannt?
(Why was the electrician so relaxed?)

Weil er einen guten Draht zu seinen Sicherungen hatte!
(Because he had a good connection / wire to his fuses!)

📜 Poem about *der Draht*

Der Draht, so dünn, aus kühlem Erz,
(The wire, so thin, of cool ore,)
Verbindet Welten, lindert Schmerz.
(Connects worlds, eases pain.)
Er leitet Strom mit unsichtbarer Hand,
(It conducts power with an invisible hand,)
Spannt Zäune übers weite Land.
(Stretches fences across the wide land.)

Auch zwischen Menschen, fein gesponnen,
(Also between people, finely spun,)
Wird guter Draht oft neu gewonnen.
(A good connection is often newly won.)
Ein heißer Draht für schnelle Kunde,
(A hotline for fast news,)
Auf Draht sein, zählt zu jeder Stunde.
(Being on the ball counts every hour.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin aus Metall, doch oft ganz fein,
(I'm made of metal, but often very fine,)
Kann leiten, binden, zäunen ein.
(Can conduct, bind, fence things in.)
Manchmal hab' ich Stacheln, manchmal bin ich glatt,
(Sometimes I have barbs, sometimes I am smooth,)
Und manchmal bin ich's, wenn man 'ne gute Verbindung hat.
(And sometimes I'm what you have when you have a good connection.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?
(... Der Draht / The wire)

ℹ️ Other Interesting Aspects

Compound Words (*Wortzusammensetzungen*)

*Draht* is part of many compound words:

• Stacheldraht: *Barbed wire*.
• Kupferdraht: *Copper wire*.
• Eisendraht: *Iron wire*.
• Maschendraht: *Wire mesh*.
• Bindedraht: *Binding wire*.
• Drahtseil: *Wire rope/cable* (made of many strands).
• Drahtzieher: Literally *wire-puller*, figuratively *puppet master* or someone pulling the strings behind the scenes.
• Drahtesel: Colloquial for *bicycle* (literally *wire donkey*).

Etymology

The word *Draht* comes from Old High German *drāt* and is related to the verb *drehen* (*to twist* or *to turn*), referring to the original method of production by twisting metal fibers.