die  Schnur

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃnuːɐ̯/

🧶 What does "die Schnur" mean?

Die Schnur (feminine, plural: die Schnüre) refers to a long, thin, and flexible object, usually made of twisted or braided fibers. It's used for tying, fastening, hanging, or as part of devices.

• Main meaning: A thin string, cord, or line.
• Context: It can be made from various materials like cotton, plastic, metal, or natural fibers.
• Distinction: A Schnur is typically thinner and less robust than a Seil (rope), but thicker than a Faden (thread).

⚠️ Attention: Although often used similarly, there are subtle differences to Band (often flat) or Kabel (often for signal/power transmission).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Schnur" in Detail

The word "Schnur" is a feminine noun. The article is die.

Declension:

Example Sentences:

1. Die Katze spielt mit einer Schnur.
   (The cat plays with a string.)
2. Gib mir bitte die rote Schnur zum Einpacken des Geschenks.
   (Please give me the red string to wrap the gift.)
3. Die Drachenschnur hat sich im Baum verfangen.
   (The kite string got caught in the tree.)
4. Viele bunte Schnüre lagen auf dem Tisch.
   (Many colorful strings lay on the table.)
5. Mit diesen Schnüren können wir das Paket zubinden.
   (With these cords, we can tie up the package.)

💡 How to use "die Schnur"?

"Die Schnur" is an everyday word with broad applications:

• In the household (Im Haushalt): For hanging laundry (Wäscheschnur - clothesline), for crafts (basteln), for tying up bags (Säcke) or packages (Pakete).
• In crafts & hobbies (Beim Handwerk & Hobby): As a mason's line (Maurerschnur), fishing line (Angelschnur), kite string (Drachenschnur), string for beads (Perlenschnur) in jewelry.
• Technology (Technik): Formerly often used as a telephone cord (Telefonschnur) or for simple mechanical connections.
• Figurative meaning (Übertragene Bedeutung): Sometimes used idiomatically, e.g., "wie am Schnürchen laufen" (to run smoothly, like clockwork) or "jemandem auf der Schnur stehen" (lit. 'to stand on someone's line', meaning not to understand someone, or the line is busy).

Comparison:

• Faden (thread): Usually thinner, used for sewing (Nähfaden).
• Seil (rope): Significantly thicker and stronger, for heavier loads (Kletterseil - climbing rope, Abschleppseil - tow rope).
• Kordel (cord): Similar to Schnur, often a bit thicker or more decorative.
• Band (ribbon, tape): Typically flat and wider (Geschenkband - gift ribbon, Maßband - measuring tape).

🧠 Mnemonics for Schnur

For the article "die": Feminine nouns in German often end in -e. While Schnur doesn't, think of related feminine items like die Kette (the chain) or die Leine (the line/leash), which often function similarly. Imagine a delicate, feminine pearl necklace (Perlenkette) held by a thin Schnur.

For the meaning: The German word Schnur sounds a bit like the English word "snare". You can make a snare with a string or cord (Schnur). Or imagine someone saying "Sure!" while handing you a piece of string: "Sure, here's the Schnur!"

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but different words:

• Schnüren: (Verb) To tie something with a string or lace (e.g., Schuhe schnüren - to lace shoes).
• Schnorren: (Verb, colloquial) To scrounge or beg (unrelated to Schnur!).

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, warum ist deine Hausaufgabe so verknotet?"
Fritzchen: "Sie sagten doch, ich soll die Sätze miteinander verbinden! Da hab ich eine Schnur genommen!"

English Translation: The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, why is your homework so knotted?"
Fritzchen: "But you said I should connect the sentences! So I used a string!"

✍️ Poem about the Schnur

German:

Die Schnur, so dünn, so lang, so fein,
hält Päckchen fest und Wäsche rein.
Mal rot, mal blau, mal unscheinbar,
ist sie zum Binden immerdar.

Die Katze jagt sie voller Spiel,
der Angler braucht sie, nicht zu viel.
Im Leben läuft's, wie man's oft hört,
am besten glatt, ganz ungestört,
so wie am Schnürchen, leicht und klar,
die Schnur, sie ist halt einfach da.

English Translation:

The string, so thin, so long, so fine,
holds parcels tight and laundry line.
Sometimes red, sometimes blue, sometimes plain to see,
it's always there for tying, wild and free.

The cat pursues it, full of play,
the angler needs it, not too much fray.
In life things run, as often heard,
the best is smooth, without a stirred
moment, like clockwork, light and clear,
the string, it simply is just here.

❓ Riddle Time

German:

Ich bin lang und meistens dünn,
hab oft am Anfang 'nen Beginn.
Ich halte fest, ich binde zu,
manchmal hängst du Wäsche druff im Nu.
Mal zieh ich Perlen auf mich auf,
mal helf ich beim Geschenke-Kauf.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:

I am long and mostly thin,
I often have a place where I begin.
I hold things tight, I tie things closed,
sometimes you hang laundry on me, as supposed.
Sometimes I have pearls threaded onto me,
sometimes I help when buying gifts, you see.

What am I?

Solution: Die Schnur (the string/cord)

ℹ️ Additional Information

• Etymology: The word "Schnur" comes from the Old High German "snuor", which also meant rope or cord. It is related to the Latin "nervus" (sinew, nerve) and the Greek "neuron" (sinew, string).
• Compound words (Wortzusammensetzungen): There are many compound words with "Schnur", e.g.:
  • Wäscheschnur (clothesline)
  • Angelschnur (fishing line)
  • Drachenschnur (kite string)
  • Maurerschnur (mason's line)
  • Perlenschnur (string of pearls)
  • Telefonschnur (telephone cord - less common today)
  • Schnürsenkel (shoelace - literally 'lacing cord')
• Idioms (Redewendungen):
  • Wie am Schnürchen laufen: (lit. 'to run like on a little string') -> To run smoothly / like clockwork.
  • Nach Strich und Faden: (lit. 'by line and thread') -> Thoroughly, comprehensively.
  • Jemandem auf der Schnur stehen: (lit. 'to stand on someone's string/line', dated) -> Not to understand someone on the phone; the line is bad/busy.