Nagel

nail (fastener)

noun NAH-gel Rare

Also means

fingernail

Usage Note

Nagel means both the metal nail and the fingernail. The vivid idiom den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen (to hit the nail on the head) matches the English exactly.

Examples

"Er schlägt den Nagel mit zwei Schlägen in die Wand."

Natural Translation

He drives the nail into the wall with two blows.

Literal Translation

He strikes the nail with two blows into the wall.

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