die  Klammer

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈklamɐ/

📌 What exactly is a Klammer?

The German word die Klammer (feminine noun) has several meanings. It generally describes an object or symbol used to hold something together, fasten it, or enclose it.

• Fastening element: A Klammer can be a small object made of metal or plastic used to hold things together or attach them. Examples include the Büroklammer (paper clip), the Wäscheklammer (clothespin), or the Haarklammer (hair clip). Larger fasteners in crafts or construction are also called Klammern (e.g., Schraubklammer - screw clamp).
• Staple: A specific type of Klammer used with a stapler (Heftgerät or Tacker) to permanently bind pages of paper.
• Bracket/Parenthesis (Punctuation mark): In writing and mathematics, Klammern are used to enclose or separate parts of a text or formula. A distinction is made between runde Klammern (round brackets/parentheses) (), eckige Klammern (square brackets) [], and geschweifte Klammern (curly braces) {}.
• Medical/Dental: A Klammer can also be a device used for fixation or correction, e.g., a Zahnklammer (dental brace) or Wundklammern (surgical staples/clips).

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning!

🧐 Grammar of 'die Klammer' in Detail

Die Klammer is a feminine noun.

Singular

Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Büroklammer (Paper clip): Gibst du mir bitte eine Klammer für diese Papiere? (Could you please give me a clip for these papers?)
2. Heftklammer (Staple): Mein Tacker braucht neue Klammern. (My stapler needs new staples.)
3. Satzzeichen (Punctuation): Setze diesen Teil des Satzes bitte in Klammern. (Please put this part of the sentence in parentheses/brackets.)
4. Wäscheklammer (Clothespin): Der Wind hat eine Klammer von der Leine geweht. (The wind blew a clothespin off the line.)
5. Zahnklammer (Braces): Sie trägt seit einem Jahr eine feste Klammer. (She has been wearing fixed braces for a year.)

🛠️ How to Use 'die Klammer'

The usage of die Klammer depends heavily on its specific meaning:

• In the office: Usually refers to Büroklammern (paper clips) or Heftklammern (staples). (e.g., "Die Präsentation wird mit einer Klammer zusammengehalten." - The presentation is held together with a clip.)
• In crafts/construction: Often denotes sturdy fastening elements. (e.g., "Mit einer Schraubklammer fixieren wir das Holz." - We fix the wood with a screw clamp.)
• In writing/typing: Refers to punctuation marks. The phrase is 'etwas in Klammern setzen' (to put something in brackets/parentheses). (e.g., "Zusatzinformationen stehen oft in Klammern." - Additional information is often in parentheses.) Round brackets () are the most common.
• In the household: Wäscheklammern (clothespins) are typical here.
• In medicine: Refers to Wundklammern (surgical staples/clips) or Zahnklammern (braces).

Related terms:

• klammern (verb): To cling to something, to clasp something tightly.
• ausklammern (verb): To factor out (math); to exclude something (e.g., from a discussion or calculation).
• einklammern (verb): To put something in brackets/parentheses (text); to enclose or encompass something.

🧠 Mnemonics for Klammer

For the article 'die': Think of things that hold or connect often being feminine in German: die Kette (chain), die Brücke (bridge), and die Klammer. Maybe imagine Dee (die) using a clip (Klammer) for her hair.

For the meanings: A Klammer is like a 'clamp' or 'clasp' (similar sounds!) – it holds things together (paper, laundry, wounds, teeth) or 'claims' a section by enclosing it (punctuation).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Confusing Words:

• Klamm (adjective): Means damp and cold; also: short of cash ('strapped for cash'). Unrelated to 'die Klammer'.
• Klemme (noun, die): Can be a synonym for 'Klammer' (as a clamp), but also means a predicament ('in der Klemme stecken' - to be in a tight spot).

😄 A Little Klammer Joke

German: Fragt ein Satzzeichen das andere: „Warum bist du so ausgegrenzt?“
Antwortet die Klammer: „Ach, ich schließe nur kurz etwas ein!“

English Translation: One punctuation mark asks another: "Why are you so excluded?"
The bracket/parenthesis replies: "Oh, I'm just briefly enclosing something!"

📜 Poem about the Klammer

German:
Die Klammer, klein und oft aus Draht,
hält Blätter fest, ganz akkurat.
Mal rund () im Satz, mal eckig [],
grenzt ein, was wichtig, pfiffig.

Am Seil die Wäsche, bunt und frisch,
hält sie fest, am Holztisch
der Handwerker sie auch benutzt,
damit nichts wackelt oder rutscht.

Ob Zähne richten, Wunden schließen,
lässt sie uns Hilfe sprießen.
Ein kleines Ding, doch sehr von Nutzen,
hilft uns beim Halten und beim Stutzen.

English Translation:
The clip/bracket, small and often wire-thin,
Holds pages fast, precise within.
Sometimes round () in text, sometimes square [],
Encloses what's key, with clever flair.

On the line the laundry, bright and new,
It holds it tight; on wood, it's true,
The craftsman uses it with skill,
So nothing wobbles or stands still.

Whether fixing teeth or closing seams,
It lets assistance flow in streams.
A little thing, but useful quite,
Helps us hold and trim things right.

❓ Klammer Riddle

German:
Ich halte Papiere zusammen im Bund,
bin manchmal eckig und manchmal rund.
Im Text grenz' ich ein, was extra gesagt,
an der Wäscheleine hab' ich's gewagt,
dein Hemd zu halten, bei Wind und bei Nass.

Wer bin ich wohl? Rate mal das!

English Translation:
I hold papers together in a stack,
I'm sometimes square and sometimes round, on track.
In text, I enclose what's extra to tell,
On the clothesline, I dared very well,
To hold your shirt, through wind and through wet.

Who am I? Make your guess now, you bet!

Solution: die Klammer (the clip / staple / bracket / clothespin)

💡 Other Info about Klammer

Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen)

Die Klammer is often part of compound nouns that specify its function:

• Büroklammer (Office clip -> Paper clip)
• Haarklammer (Hair clip)
• Wäscheklammer (Laundry clip -> Clothespin)
• Heftklammer (Binding clip -> Staple)
• Schraubklammer (Screw clamp)
• Rohrklammer (Pipe clamp)
• Wundklammer (Wound clip/staple)
• Zahnklammer (Tooth clip -> Brace(s))

Etymology

The word 'Klammer' derives from the Old High German word 'klamara' and the verb 'klammern', meaning “to clamp, clasp tightly, squeeze together”. The fundamental meaning of holding and connecting has thus been anchored in the word for a long time.