Signification
To arrange one's hair with a comb.
Contexte culturel
In ancient Germanic culture, hair was a symbol of vitality. Combing was not just hygiene but a social ritual. Being 'gekämmt' (combed) is a prerequisite for 'ordentlich' (orderly) behavior in schools and offices. The character 'Struwwelpeter' is the most famous example of what happens when you *don't* comb your hair.
The Reflexive Rule
Always remember 'mir' or 'dir'. Saying 'Ich kämme die Haare' sounds like you are combing a wig or someone else's hair detached from their body.
Comb vs Brush
Germans are precise. If you have a brush in your hand, use 'bürsten'. Using 'kämmen' will make them look for a comb.
Signification
To arrange one's hair with a comb.
The Reflexive Rule
Always remember 'mir' or 'dir'. Saying 'Ich kämme die Haare' sounds like you are combing a wig or someone else's hair detached from their body.
Comb vs Brush
Germans are precise. If you have a brush in your hand, use 'bürsten'. Using 'kämmen' will make them look for a comb.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun.
Ich kämme ____ die Haare.
When combing your own hair, you use the dative reflexive pronoun 'mir'.
Which tool do you use for 'kämmen'?
Ich kämme meine Haare mit einem...
A 'Kamm' is a comb, which is the tool used for 'kämmen'.
Complete the dialogue.
Mutter: 'Kämm dir bitte die Haare!' Kind: 'Ich ____ mir schon die Haare!'
The first person singular conjugation of 'kämmen' is 'kämme'.
Match the German to the English.
Match the following:
These are the standard translations for the reflexive forms.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Hair Care Tools
Tools
- • {der|m} Kamm
- • {die|f} Bürste
- • {der|m} Föhn
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIch kämme ____ die Haare.
When combing your own hair, you use the dative reflexive pronoun 'mir'.
Ich kämme meine Haare mit einem...
A 'Kamm' is a comb, which is the tool used for 'kämmen'.
Mutter: 'Kämm dir bitte die Haare!' Kind: 'Ich ____ mir schon die Haare!'
The first person singular conjugation of 'kämmen' is 'kämme'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard translations for the reflexive forms.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, it is grammatically correct, but it sounds less natural than 'Ich kämme mir die Haare'.
No, you can also 'ein Pferd kämmen' (comb a horse) or 'einen Hund kämmen'.
It is 'kämmte' (Präteritum) and 'hat gekämmt' (Perfekt).
'Durchkämmen' implies a more thorough combing, often to get rid of knots.
Expressions liées
sich bürsten
similarto brush oneself
sich die Haare machen
informalto do one's hair
sich frisieren
specialized formto style one's hair
