Kreide

chalk

noun KRY-de Rare

Origin: from Latin creta

Usage Note

Kreide is the chalk a teacher writes with on the board. It is also the geological substance and lends its name to the Cretaceous period (Kreidezeit). The idiom bei jemandem in der Kreide stehen means 'to be in someone's debt'.

Examples

"Die Lehrerin nimmt ein Stück Kreide."

Natural Translation

The teacher takes a piece of chalk.

Literal Translation

The teacher takes a piece chalk.

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