die Schlange
Translation
snake, queue, line
Examples
Eine Schlange kroch durch das Gras.
A snake crawled through the grass.
Wir standen in einer langen Schlange.
We were standing in a long queue.
Grammar Patterns
to see a snake ((sth.)) Ich habe im Wald eine Schlange gesehen.
to stand in a queue ((in+dat)) Wir mussten eine Stunde in der Schlange stehen.
Similar Words
Synonyms: (animal) Reptil; (line) Reihe, Kette
Etymology
From Old High German 'slango', related to 'schlingen' (to wind, twist).
Memory Tips
Imagine a long, winding snake. It looks similar to a long, winding queue of people. This connects the two meanings.