Brechstange
/ˈbʁɛçˌʃtaŋə/feminine
The English word crowbar is translated into German as Brechstange. Wiktionary also lists Brecheisen and Hebeeisen.
Meaning: iron or steel bar used as a lever to manually force things apart (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Brechstange | /ˈbʁɛçˌʃtaŋə/ | feminine |
| Brecheisen | /ˈbʁɛçˌʔaɪ̯zn̩/ /ˈbʁɛçˌʔaɪ̯zən/ |
neuter |
| Hebeeisen | neuter | |
| Kuhfuß | masculine |
A crowbar refers to an iron or steel bar used as a lever to manually force things apart.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Brechstange is a compound of brechen (to break) and Stange (bar/pole), literally meaning a lever bar.
Which one should you use?
Brecheisen is the standard, neutral term for the physical tool used in construction or demolition. In contrast, Brechstange is often used more figuratively to mean a 'last resort' or a 'brute force' method.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of Brechstange is Brechstangen. For Brecheisen, the plural form remains Brecheisen. The plural of Kuhfuß is Kuhfüße.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbʁɛçˌʃtaŋə/
Did you know?
- The term Kuhfuß literally translates to 'cow's foot'.
- If you describe a person's argument as a Brechstange, you are implying they are being unreasonable or stubborn.
- In certain regional dialects, a Kuhfuß is specifically a crowbar with a nail-pulling claw, whereas a Brecheisen is a straight bar.
Examples in context
- Hast du ein Brecheisen?Do you have a crowbar?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a Brecheisen.Tatoeba #12691694 by Waldelfe, translation #12180503 by CK
- Ich brauche ein Brecheisen.I need a crowbar.This sentence is useful for expressing a need for a Brecheisen.Tatoeba #8075054 by Luiaard, translation #6196135 by CK
- Tom stemmte die Tür mit einer Brechstange auf.Tom pried open the door with a crowbar.This sentence is useful for describing how someone used a Brechstange to pry open a door.Tatoeba #1922539 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1922111 by CK
- Mein Nachbar hat das Brecheisen benutzt, um die alte Holztür zu öffnen.My neighbor used the crowbar to open the old wooden door.
- Der Klempner braucht ein Brecheisen, um den schweren Rohrverschluss zu lösen.The plumber needs a crowbar to loosen the heavy pipe cap.
- Kannst du mir bitte den Kuhfuß reichen? Ich muss diesen alten Holzpfosten aus dem Boden ziehen!Can you please pass me the crowbar? I need to pull out this old wooden post from the ground!
- Der Handwerker hatte immer einen Kuhfuß in seiner Werkzeugkiste.The handyman always had a crowbar in his toolbox.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Lukas are trying to open a stuck wooden crate.
- JuliaDiese Kiste geht nicht auf.This crate won't open.
- LukasIch hole schnell eine Brechstange.I'll go grab a crowbar quickly.
- JuliaWo liegt die Brechstange?Where is the crowbar?
- LukasSie liegt dort in der Werkstatt.It's over there in the workshop.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crowbar” translations and entries Brechstange, Brecheisen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
