die Fahne
Translation
flag, banner, alcohol on one's breath
Examples
Die deutsche Fahne ist schwarz-rot-gold.
The German flag is black, red, and gold.
Er hatte gestern Abend eine Fahne.
He had alcohol on his breath last night.
Grammar Patterns
eine Fahne haben (coll.) to have alcohol on one's breath He has strong alcohol breath.
Similar Words
die Flagge (flag), das Banner (banner)
Etymology
From Old High German 'fano', meaning 'cloth'. Related to the English word 'vane'.
Memory Tips
Picture a flag ('Fahne') fanning in the wind. For the second meaning, imagine the smell of alcohol is a 'flag' announcing you've been drinking.