Stielhandgranate
The English phrase "stick grenade" is translated into German as Stielhandgranate.
A Stielhandgranate refers to a type of hand grenade that features an explosive charge attached to a wooden handle.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of Stiel (stick or handle), Hand (hand) and Granate (grenade).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in southern Germany, the term Schießbeere is used to describe a stick grenade.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, identified by the article die. The plural form is Stielhandgranaten.
Did you know?
- The word Granate in German shares an etymological root with the English word 'garnet', as both derive from the Latin word for pomegranate, referencing the explosive-looking shape of the seeds.
- While English speakers call it a 'potato masher', German soldiers of the World Wars often used the slang term Kartoffelstampfer to describe the Stielhandgranate for the same reason.
- German grammar treats the Stielhandgranate as feminine because the headword Granate is feminine, regardless of the masculine Stiel at the start.
Examples in context
- Im Ersten Weltkrieg wurden die deutschen Soldaten oft mit Stielhandgranaten ausgestattet.During World War I, German soldiers were often equipped with stick grenades.
- Die Stielhandgranate liegt auf dem Boden.The stick grenade is lying on the floor.
- Er hält eine alte Stielhandgranate in der Hand.He is holding an old stick grenade in his hand.
- Ist das eine echte Stielhandgranate?Is that a real stick grenade?
Example conversation
Felix and Hannah are looking at a historical museum exhibit.
- FelixSchau mal, eine Stielhandgranate!Look, a stick grenade!
- HannahSie sieht sehr gefährlich aus.It looks very dangerous.
- FelixJa, sie war eine effektive Waffe.Yes, it was an effective weapon.
- HannahFelix, lass uns weitergehen.Felix, let's move on.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Stielhandgranate, CC BY-SA 4.0.
