der Schlittschuh, -e
ice skate
Ein Schuh mit einer schmalen Kufe aus Metall unten, mit dem man über Eis gleiten kann.
Definition & meaning
A Schlittschuh is a skate designed for ice skating. It consists of a boot with a metal blade attached to the sole, which allows the wearer to glide across frozen surfaces like ice rinks or frozen ponds.
The term is used both for the equipment itself (e.g., "Ich ziehe meine Schlittschuhe an" - "I am putting on my skates") and for the act of skating (e.g., "Schlittschuh laufen" - "to ice skate").
Grammar & Word origin
The word is a masculine noun (der). The plural form is die Schlittschuhe.
The word is a compound noun consisting of two parts:
- Schlitten: Meaning "sled" or "sledge".
- Schuh: Meaning "shoe".
Historically, the name derives from the fact that early versions of ice skates were essentially small sled-like runners strapped to the feet, acting as "sled-shoes."
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Eislaufschuh (literally: ice-running shoe)
- Kufe (often used metonymically to refer to the blades or the skates themselves)
Antonyms: There are no direct antonyms for a physical object like a skate. However, in terms of activity, one might contrast it with:
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Examples
Kannst du mir einen Schlittschuh leihen?noun
Can you lend me an ice skate?
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