die  Klinge

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈklɪŋə/

🔪 What does 'die Klinge' mean?

Die Klinge is a feminine noun in German that translates to 'blade' in English. It refers specifically to the sharp, cutting or piercing part of a tool, weapon, or piece of sports equipment.

• Tools/Weapons: The part of a knife (Messer), sword (Schwert), dagger (Dolch), sabre (Säbel), or scissors (Schere) used for cutting or stabbing. (e.g., Messerklinge - knife blade, Schwertklinge - sword blade, Rasierklinge - razor blade)
• Machines: The cutting part of a machine, like a lawnmower. (e.g., Mähmesserklinge - mower blade)
• Sports Equipment: The narrow metal runner on the bottom of an ice skate (Schlittschuh). (e.g., Schlittschuhklinge - skate blade)

Important Note: Klinge refers to the part of the object, not the whole object itself (like a complete knife or sword).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar & Declension of Klinge

"Klinge" is a feminine noun. The article is "die". Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

• Die Klinge des Messers ist sehr scharf. (The blade of the knife is very sharp.)
• Er bewunderte die Schärfe der Klinge. (He admired the sharpness of the blade.)
• Mit einer stumpfen Klinge kann man schlecht schneiden. (You can't cut well with a dull blade.)
• Er zog die Klinge aus der Scheide. (He drew the blade from the sheath.)
• Die Klingen der Schlittschuhe glänzten im Licht. (The blades of the ice skates shone in the light.)
• Der Schmied prüfte die Qualität der Klingen. (The blacksmith checked the quality of the blades.)
• Er schliff an den alten Klingen herum. (He was grinding the old blades.)
• Der Soldat reinigte seine Klingen. (The soldier cleaned his blades.)

💡 Everyday Usage

The term "Klinge" is used in various contexts:

• Household & Kitchen: You talk about the Messerklinge (knife blade), Scherenklinge (scissor blade), or Rasierklinge (razor blade).
• Crafts & Industry: Here you find Sägeklingen (saw blades), Hobelklingen (plane blades), or special Maschinenklingen (machine blades).
• Weapons & History: In reference to bladed weapons like Schwertklingen (sword blades) or Dolchklingen (dagger blades).
• Sports: Especially in ice skating, the Schlittschuhklingen (ice skate blades).
• Figurative: Sometimes "Klinge" is used metaphorically, e.g., "jemanden über die Klinge springen lassen" (to sacrifice someone, let them take the fall, dismiss them, ruin them).

Distinction: While "die Schneide" refers specifically to the sharp edge, "die Klinge" means the entire flat, cutting component.

🧠 Mnemonics for Klinge

Article Mnemonic (die): Think of a 'kling-ing' sound – maybe a high-pitched, delicate sound, which feels more *feminine* ('die'). Or, associate the shape of many blades (long, slender) with feminine forms. Remember other cutting things are often feminine: *die Schere* (scissors), *die Säge* (saw).

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the *'kling'* sound a blade might make when struck lightly. It *kling*s – it's a Klinge. Like the 'cling' sound of metal.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse "Klinge" (blade) with "Klingel" (doorbell) or the verb "klingen" (to sound).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat das stumpfe Messer keinen Job bekommen?

Es hatte einfach nicht die richtige Klinge dafür!

(Why didn't the dull knife get the job? It just didn't have the right blade / the right 'ring' (sound/qualification) for it! - This is a pun, as 'Klinge' sounds like 'klingen' (to sound) and also means blade.)

📜 Poem about the Blade

Silberhell und scharf geschliffen, liegt die Klinge, kalt und rein.
Ob zum Schneiden, ob zum Ritzen,
ihr Metall lässt Funken spritzen.
Vom Schwert zum Messer, klein und groß,
ist sie Diener, oft auch Los.

(Silver-bright and sharply ground,
lies the blade, cold and pure.
Whether for cutting or for scratching,
its metal makes sparks fly.
From sword to knife, small and large,
it is servant, often also fate.)

❓ Riddle

Ich habe einen Rücken, doch kann nicht ruh'n.
Ich habe eine Schneide, doch ess' ich nie.
Ich wohne im Messer, im Schwert, im Schuh auf dem Eis.
Was bin ich?

(I have a spine/back, but cannot rest.
I have an edge, but never eat.
I live in the knife, in the sword, in the shoe on the ice.
What am I?)

Solution: die Klinge (the blade)

🧩 Other Interesting Facts

• Word Formation (Wortbildung): The word "Klinge" is often part of compound nouns (Komposita), such as Rasierklinge (razor blade), Messerklinge (knife blade), Schlittschuhklinge (ice skate blade), Solinger Klinge (blade from Solingen, famous for quality).
• Idiom (Redewendung): "Jemanden über die Klinge springen lassen" literally means 'to let someone jump over the blade'. It translates to sacrificing someone, letting them take the fall, dismissing them, or ruining them, often to save oneself.
• Materials (Materialien): Blades are typically made from steel (often stainless steel), ceramic, or historically also from bronze or obsidian.