die Scherbe
Translation
shard, fragment, sherd
Examples
Vorsicht, auf dem Boden liegen Scherben.
Be careful, there are shards on the floor.
Eine einzelne Scherbe schnitt ihm in den Finger.
A single shard cut his finger.
Grammar Patterns
die Scherbe (singular nominative) the shard The shard is very sharp.
die Scherben (plural nominative) the shards There are many shards on the street.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Bruchstück (fragment), Splitter (splinter), Fragment (fragment)
Etymology
From Middle High German 'schirbe', related to 'scheren' (to shear, to cut). The idea is of something 'cut off' or broken.
Memory Tips
The sound 'sher-buh' can sound like something shattering or scraping. Picture sharp shards of a broken bottle.