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gestrichen

B1 adjective #8,000 most common 10 min read

gestrichen

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips gestrichen in 30 Seconds

Explanation gestrichen in your Level:

At the A1 level, you will mostly see 'gestrichen' in the context of colors and simple descriptions of a house or a room. You might learn that 'Die Wand ist weiß gestrichen' means 'The wall is painted white'. It is important to know this word because you will see signs that say 'Frisch gestrichen!' which means 'Wet paint!'. This is a warning so you do not touch the wet surface. At this stage, you don't need to worry about the 'cancelled' meaning yet, just focus on the idea of applying color to a wall or a chair. You can use it with colors: 'rot gestrichen' (painted red), 'blau gestrichen' (painted blue), etc. It is a very useful word when talking about your home or furniture. Remember, it comes from the verb 'streichen', which you might learn later. For now, treat 'gestrichen' as a description word (an adjective). If you want to describe your room, you can say: 'Mein Zimmer ist gelb gestrichen'. This is a simple and clear way to use the word. You should also recognize it in a hardware store (Baumarkt) where people buy paint. It is one of the first words you will learn related to home maintenance. Even if you don't use it often yourself, knowing the 'Frisch gestrichen!' sign is vital for your clothes! Always look for this sign on benches in parks or on doors in public buildings. It is a classic part of German life to see these little signs everywhere during the spring and summer when people renovate their homes.

At the A2 level, you begin to see 'gestrichen' in more practical, everyday situations, especially travel. You will hear it at the train station (Bahnhof) or airport (Flughafen). If a train or a flight is 'gestrichen', it means it is not coming. This is very important for your travel plans. You might see it on a big screen: 'Flug LH123: Gestrichen'. This means the flight is cancelled. You will also use it more in the kitchen. When you follow a recipe, you might see 'ein gestrichener Teelöffel Salz'. This means you should not have a big pile of salt on the spoon, but you should make it flat. This is called a 'level teaspoon' in English. You are also learning more about the passive voice now. You can say 'Das Haus wird gestrichen' (The house is being painted). This is a bit more advanced than just saying 'The house is white'. You are describing an action that is happening. You might also start to see it used for crossing out words. If you make a mistake in your German homework, your teacher might say 'Das Wort muss gestrichen werden' (The word must be crossed out/deleted). This level is about expanding from just 'colors' to 'actions' and 'logistics'. You should be able to understand why a train is gestrichen and how to measure sugar for a cake using this word. It's a very functional word at this level.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'gestrichen' in all its main contexts: painting, cancelling, and deleting. You will use it in more complex sentences with conjunctions. For example: 'Obwohl die Wand erst letztes Jahr gestrichen wurde, sieht sie schon wieder schmutzig aus' (Although the wall was only painted last year, it looks dirty again). You will also encounter it in professional contexts. If a project is 'gestrichen', it means the funding or the plan has been stopped. This is common in business meetings. You are also expected to know the difference between 'gestrichen' and 'abgesagt'. Remember that 'gestrichen' is for schedules and lists, while 'abgesagt' is for events like parties or meetings. If you are reading a German newspaper, you will see headlines like 'Subventionen gestrichen' (Subsidies cut). This abstract use is very common at B1. You should also be aware of the word family, like 'Anstrich' (the coat of paint). In B1, you start to use the word more figuratively. If someone says 'Das kannst du dir von der Backe streichen', it's an idiom meaning 'You can forget about that', but the core word is still 'streichen'. Your understanding of 'gestrichen' becomes more nuanced as you see how it applies to budgets, laws, and plans, not just physical walls. It is a key word for navigating bureaucratic or official information in Germany.

At the B2 level, 'gestrichen' becomes a tool for precise communication. you understand the subtle difference between 'gestrichen' and 'annulliert' in legal or formal contexts. You can use it to describe editorial changes in a text: 'Der Redakteur hat die redundanten Passagen gestrichen' (The editor deleted the redundant passages). You will also encounter it in more specialized fields. In music, 'gestrichene Noten' refers to specific octaves (like 'das eingestrichene C'). In cooking, you can distinguish between 'gehäuft' (heaping) and 'gestrichen' (level) with ease. You are also familiar with common collocations like 'ersatzlos gestrichen' (cancelled without replacement). This is a very strong phrase often used in political or corporate news. At B2, you should also be able to use the word in the 'Zustandspassiv' (stative passive) to describe a state: 'Die frisch gestrichene Fassade glänzt in der Sonne' (The freshly painted facade shines in the sun). You also understand that 'gestrichen' can refer to a 'level' measurement in a very technical sense. Your vocabulary is now rich enough to use 'gestrichen' to describe a budget cut, a cancelled flight, a deleted sentence, and a painted wall, all in the same conversation without confusion. You are aware of the stylistic choice of using 'gestrichen' over 'gelöscht' to imply a more deliberate, editorial removal of something.

At the C1 level, you recognize the stylistic and rhetorical power of 'gestrichen'. You can use it in sophisticated arguments about policy or literature. For instance, you might analyze why a certain scene was 'gestrichen' from a play to change the thematic focus. You understand the historical etymology of the word, coming from the act of 'striking' or 'smoothing', and how that connects all its modern meanings. You are adept at using it in the 'Partizip I' vs 'Partizip II' distinction (streichend vs gestrichen). You also understand idiomatic expressions and regional variations. You might encounter the word in legal texts where 'gestrichene Bestimmungen' refers to repealed regulations. In a literary context, you might read about a character who has 'alle Hoffnungen gestrichen' (given up all hope), using the word in a highly metaphorical way. Your use of the word is no longer just functional; it is precise and stylistically appropriate. You can discuss the 'Anstrich' of a building not just as paint, but as its 'veneer' or 'appearance' in a metaphorical sense. You are also comfortable with the musical terminology 'gestrichene Saiten' (bowed strings) and how it relates to the verb 'streichen'. At this level, you can appreciate the economy of the German language in using one root for painting, cancelling, and bowing an instrument.

At the C2 level, 'gestrichen' is a word you use with total native-like fluency, including its most obscure and metaphorical applications. You can use it to discuss the nuances of German 'Beamtendeutsch' (bureaucratic German) where 'gestrichen' indicates a specific type of administrative removal. You might use it in a philosophical discussion about 'gestrichene Zeit' (cancelled or lost time). You are fully aware of its role in the 'Oktavbezeichnung' (octave notation) in music theory, distinguishing between 'eingestrichen', 'zweigestrichen', etc., without hesitation. You can use the word to describe the 'gestrichene' (level) surface of a liquid in a scientific experiment. Your ability to use the word extends to creative writing, where you might use 'gestrichen' to describe the way light 'strokes' a landscape (though this is more the verb 'streichen', the participle 'gestrichen' can describe the resulting state). You understand the historical development of the word from Middle High German 'strīchen' and its cognates in other Germanic languages. You can effortlessly switch between the literal 'painted' and the highly abstract 'cancelled' or 'repealed' depending on the register of the conversation. You are a master of the word's many lives, from the humble 'gestrichener Teelöffel' in a grandmother's recipe to the 'gestrichenen Stellen' in a censored manuscript.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

gestrichen in 30 Seconds

Refers to surfaces covered with paint (e.g., walls, furniture).
Indicates cancelled flights, trains, or appointments.
Means 'level' (flat) when used for measuring ingredients in cooking.
Describes text or budget items that have been deleted or removed.

The German word gestrichen is a versatile past participle of the verb streichen, which functions frequently as an adjective in everyday German. At its core, it describes something that has been subjected to a 'striking' or 'stroking' motion. For English speakers, the most common translation is painted, specifically in the context of architecture, furniture, or large surfaces. When you walk into a room and smell fresh chemicals, you might see a sign saying Frisch gestrichen! (Wet paint!). This specific usage refers to the physical act of applying a liquid coating with a brush or roller. However, the utility of gestrichen extends far beyond the hardware store. It is the standard term used when something planned is cancelled or removed from a list. Whether it is a flight at the Frankfurt airport, a budget line item in a corporate meeting, or a redundant sentence in a manuscript, if it is no longer happening or no longer there, it is gestrichen.

Renovation Context: Used to describe walls, ceilings, or fences that have received a new coat of paint or varnish. It implies a completed action that has changed the appearance of the object.

Die Wände im Wohnzimmer sind nun endlich blau gestrichen.

Travel and Logistics: In the world of transportation, this word is a nightmare for travelers. It indicates that a scheduled service, such as a train (Zug) or a flight (Flug), has been removed from the schedule entirely.

Wegen des Sturms wurden alle Flüge nach Berlin gestrichen.

Furthermore, gestrichen plays a role in culinary measurements. If a recipe calls for a gestrichener Teelöffel, it means a level teaspoon, where the excess has been scraped off the top with a knife, creating a flat surface. This connects back to the motion of smoothing something over. In more abstract settings, like politics or finance, a project or funding can be gestrichen, meaning the support has been withdrawn. It is a word that signifies finality—whether that is the final coat of color or the final decision to stop an event from occurring.

Editorial and Academic: When a professor or editor reviews your work and removes a paragraph, they have 'gestrichen' that part of the text. It literally means 'deleted' or 'crossed out' in this context.

Der Lektor hat die letzten zwei Sätze des Absatzes gestrichen.

Für den Kuchen benötigen wir einen gestrichenen Esslöffel Backpulver.

Das alte Gartenhaus sieht wieder wie neu aus, seit es weiß gestrichen wurde.

Using gestrichen correctly requires understanding its role as a past participle that functions as an adjective. In German, participles can be used predicatively (after a verb like 'sein' or 'werden') or attributively (directly before a noun). When used predicatively to mean 'painted,' it often follows the verb sein (to be) to describe a state. For example, Die Tür ist grün gestrichen (The door is painted green). If you want to describe the action of it being painted, you use werden: Das Haus wird gerade gestrichen (The house is currently being painted). Note that in the context of 'cancelled,' it is almost always used with sein or werden in the passive voice.

Adjectival Agreement: When 'gestrichen' comes before a noun, it must agree with the gender, number, and case of that noun. Example: 'Ein frisch gestrichenes Haus' (A freshly painted house - neuter, nominative).

Wir sitzen auf einer frisch gestrichenen Bank.

The 'Cancelled' Nuance: In travel contexts, 'gestrichen' is synonymous with 'annulliert.' On display boards at airports, you will see 'Annulliert' or 'Gestrichen' to indicate a flight won't depart.

Mein Flug wurde ohne Vorwarnung einfach gestrichen.

When discussing measurements, gestrichen is essential for precision. A gehäufter Löffel (heaping spoonful) is the opposite of a gestrichener Löffel. If you are baking a delicate German cheesecake (Käsekuchen), the difference between a heaping and a level tablespoon of starch can ruin the texture. Thus, you will often find this word in cookbooks. Another interesting use is in music; while 'gestrichen' usually refers to painting, in the context of string instruments, it relates to 'streichen' (to bow). However, as an adjective for a finished state, 'gestrichen' almost exclusively stays within the realms of painting, cancelling, and measuring.

Abstract Deletion: In legal or bureaucratic German, a 'gestrichener Paragraph' is a clause that has been repealed or removed from a law or contract.

Dieser Punkt auf der Tagesordnung wurde kurzfristig gestrichen.

Das Zimmer riecht noch nach der frisch gestrichenen Farbe.

Alle meine Urlaubspläne sind für dieses Jahr gestrichen.

If you spend any significant time in Germany, you will encounter gestrichen in three main environments: the train station, the home improvement store (Baumarkt), and the kitchen. At a Deutsche Bahn station, the announcement 'Der Zug fällt heute aus' is common, but the electronic boards will often display 'Gestrichen' or 'Fällt aus'. This is particularly frequent during strikes (Streiks) or bad weather. Hearing a frustrated traveler shout, 'Mein Anschlusszug wurde gestrichen!' is a quintessential part of the German travel experience. It carries a sense of finality and annoyance that 'cancelled' does in English.

The DIY Culture: Germans love DIY (Do-It-Yourself). In a 'Baumarkt' like Obi or Bauhaus, you will hear people discussing whether a wood surface should be 'geölt' (oiled), 'lackiert' (varnished), or 'gestrichen' (painted). If you hire a professional 'Maler' (painter), they will ask if the ceiling should also be 'mitgestrichen' (painted along with the walls).

Haben Sie die Fensterrahmen auch schon weiß gestrichen?

In the Media: News reports frequently use 'gestrichen' when discussing government budgets. If the subsidies for electric cars are removed, the headline will read: 'Subventionen für E-Autos gestrichen'. It sounds more official and decisive than 'weggenommen' (taken away).

Die Fördermittel für das neue Projekt wurden komplett gestrichen.

In a creative or academic setting, you might hear a student complain that their favorite part of an essay was gestrichen by their teacher. This implies a red pen moving across the page, 'striking' through the words. Furthermore, in the context of classical music, particularly when discussing octaves, you might hear terms like eingestrichenes C (middle C), which refers to the notation system. While this is a more specialized use, it shows the depth of the word's roots in the action of marking or indicating something. In daily life, however, the smell of fresh paint and the sight of a red cancellation notice on a screen are the most common triggers for this word.

Social Context: If a friend cancels a meeting at the last minute, they might say: 'Ich muss unser Treffen leider streichen.' Later, describing the event, they'd say 'Das Treffen ist gestrichen.'

Nach der Kritik wurde die Szene aus dem Film gestrichen.

Der Zaun muss dringend neu gestrichen werden.

Das Wort 'vielleicht' wurde aus dem Vertrag gestrichen.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with gestrichen is a result of the 'false friend' nature of the word 'painted.' In English, we use 'painted' for both a wall and a masterpiece on canvas. In German, these are strictly separated. If you say 'Dieses Bild ist gestrichen', a German will assume you took a large house-painting brush and covered the entire painting in a single solid color, effectively destroying it. For artistic painting, you must use gemalt. Use gestrichen only for surfaces, objects, or the act of applying a uniform coat of paint.

Gestrichen vs. Gemalt: 'Gestrichen' = utilitarian/surface painting (walls, doors). 'Gemalt' = artistic/creative painting (portraits, landscapes).

Falsch: Ich habe ein schönes Porträt gestrichen. (Richtig: gemalt)

Bestrichen vs. Gestrichen: Another confusion arises with food. While a level spoon is 'gestrichen', putting butter on bread is 'bestreichen'. If you say 'Das Brot ist gestrichen', it sounds like the bread was cancelled or painted with wall paint. Say 'Das Brot ist mit Butter bestrichen'.

Richtig: Ein gestrichener Teelöffel Zucker.

Another mistake involves the 'cancelled' meaning. Learners sometimes use abgesagt for flights. While abgesagt is correct for appointments or parties (events where people meet), gestrichen or annulliert is the technical term for scheduled transport. Using abgesagt for a flight sounds like the flight had a personal choice in the matter. Furthermore, ensure you don't confuse the past participle gestrichen with the simple past strich. 'Er strich die Wand' (He painted the wall) vs. 'Die Wand ist gestrichen' (The wall is painted). Confusing these can lead to tense errors that make your German sound disjointed.

Confusion with 'Annulliert': While 'gestrichen' and 'annulliert' are often interchangeable for flights, 'gestrichen' is much more common in colloquial speech, whereas 'annulliert' is the official term used in legal documents and formal announcements.

Die Reise wurde von der Liste gestrichen.

Haben Sie die Wand zweimal gestrichen?

Der Fehler wurde sofort gestrichen.

Because gestrichen covers several distinct semantic fields, its alternatives depend entirely on what you are trying to say. If you are talking about painting a house, you might use angestrichen or lackiert. Anstreichen is almost identical to streichen but often focuses more on the initial act of applying the first coat. Lackiert specifically means 'lacquered' or 'varnished,' implying a glossy or protective finish, usually for wood or metal. If you are discussing the 'cancelled' aspect, abgesagt, annulliert, and ausgefallen are your primary choices.

Comparison: Painting

Gestrichen: General term for painting surfaces.
Angestrichen: Often used for the act of beginning to paint or applying a coat.
Bemalt: Used for artistic decoration (e.g., a painted vase).

Die Kommode wurde nicht nur gestrichen, sondern auch lackiert.

Comparison: Cancellation

Gestrichen: Used for scheduled transport, budget items, or text.
Annulliert: Official/legal term for flights or contracts.
Abgesagt: Used for events, meetings, or parties.
Ausgefallen: Used for things that didn't happen as expected (e.g., a class).

Das Konzert wurde wegen Krankheit abgesagt, aber der Flug war bereits gestrichen.

In the context of removing text, you could use gelöscht (deleted, usually digital) or entfernt (removed). Gestrichen implies a manual or editorial process where something was once there and is now gone. For measurements, flach (flat) is sometimes used in informal contexts, but gestrichen remains the technical standard for recipes. Understanding these nuances helps you sound more like a native speaker who can distinguish between a 'cancelled' party and a 'cancelled' train. It also prevents you from accidentally telling someone you 'painted' a beautiful oil painting when you actually meant you 'painted' your kitchen wall.

Summary of Nuance: If it's a surface, it's 'gestrichen'. If it's a list item, it's 'gestrichen'. If it's a flight, it's 'gestrichen'. If it's art, it's 'gemalt'. If it's a party, it's 'abgesagt'.

Diese Zeile muss aus dem Protokoll gestrichen werden.

Ist das Holz gestrichen oder naturbelassen?

Der Termin wurde ersatzlos gestrichen.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The connection between 'painting' and 'cancelling' comes from the physical act of 'striking' a line through a name on a list or 'striking' paint onto a wall. Both involve a long, sweeping motion.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡəˈʃtʁɪçn̩/

US /ɡəˈʃtʁɪçən/

The stress is on the second syllable: ge-STRICH-en.

Rhymes With

blichen glichen geschlichen gewichen verblichen verglichen entwichen verstrichen

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'st' as 'st' instead of 'sht'.
Pronouncing 'ch' as 'k' (like 'gestriken').
Using the 'ach-Laut' (throat clearing sound) instead of the 'ich-Laut'.
Stressing the first syllable 'ge-'.
Forgetting the 'n' at the end.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize on signs and boards.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of adjective endings.

Speaking 3/5

The 'st' and 'ch' sounds can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation in announcements.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Farbe Wand Flug Zug nicht

Learn Next

annulliert abgesagt bestreichen Anstrich Maler

Advanced

ersatzlos Subventionen Oktavbezeichnung Zustandspassiv

Grammar to Know

Adjective Endings

Ein gestrichener (masculine) Löffel, eine gestrichene (feminine) Wand.

Passive Voice (Vorgangspassiv)

Die Wand wird gestrichen (The wall is being painted).

Stative Passive (Zustandspassiv)

Die Wand ist gestrichen (The wall is painted).

Past Participle of Strong Verbs

streichen -> strich -> gestrichen.

Participle as Adjective

Die frisch gestrichene Bank.

Examples by Level

Die Wand ist weiß gestrichen.

The wall is painted white.

Predicative use with 'sein'.

Vorsicht, frisch gestrichen!

Caution, wet paint!

Common short warning phrase.

Ist der Stuhl blau gestrichen?

Is the chair painted blue?

Question form using the adjective.

Das Haus ist neu gestrichen.

The house is newly painted.

Adverb 'neu' modifying the adjective.

Die Tür war grün gestrichen.

The door was painted green.

Past tense of 'sein' with the adjective.

Wir haben den Tisch gestrichen.

We painted the table.

Perfect tense of the verb 'streichen'.

Alles ist schön bunt gestrichen.

Everything is beautifully painted in colors.

Adjective phrase.

Der Zaun wird morgen gestrichen.

The fence will be painted tomorrow.

Passive voice with 'werden'.

Der Flug nach London ist gestrichen.

The flight to London is cancelled.

Meaning 'cancelled' in travel context.

Ich brauche einen gestrichenen Teelöffel Salz.

I need a level teaspoon of salt.

Attributive adjective with masculine noun.

Wurde der Zug heute gestrichen?

Was the train cancelled today?

Passive question.

Die falsche Antwort wurde gestrichen.

The wrong answer was crossed out.

Meaning 'deleted' or 'crossed out'.

Das Zimmer ist frisch gestrichen und riecht stark.

The room is freshly painted and smells strong.

Compound sentence with adjective.

Sind alle Termine für heute gestrichen?

Are all appointments for today cancelled?

Plural adjective use.

Er hat die Wand gelb gestrichen.

He painted the wall yellow.

Perfect tense.

Ein gestrichener Löffel Zucker reicht aus.

A level spoonful of sugar is enough.

Attributive adjective.

Wegen des Streiks wurden viele Züge gestrichen.

Due to the strike, many trains were cancelled.

Passive voice with 'wegen' + genitive.

Die Regierung hat die Subventionen gestrichen.

The government has cut the subsidies.

Abstract meaning of 'cancelled/cut'.

Diese Szene wurde aus dem Film gestrichen.

This scene was cut from the movie.

Passive voice in creative context.

Ist die Bank schon trocken oder noch frisch gestrichen?

Is the bench already dry or still freshly painted?

Alternative question.

Der Lehrer hat den ganzen Absatz gestrichen.

The teacher crossed out the whole paragraph.

Editorial use.

Mein Name wurde von der Liste gestrichen.

My name was removed from the list.

Passive voice.

Wir haben die Fensterrahmen weiß gestrichen.

We painted the window frames white.

Perfect tense with specific object.

Ein gestrichener Esslöffel Mehl wiegt etwa zehn Gramm.

A level tablespoon of flour weighs about ten grams.

Measurement context.

Der Paragraph wurde ersatzlos aus dem Gesetz gestrichen.

The paragraph was removed from the law without replacement.

Formal/Legal context.

Die Kosten für das Marketing wurden drastisch gestrichen.

The marketing costs were drastically cut.

Business context.

Eine frisch gestrichene Fassade wertet das Haus auf.

A freshly painted facade increases the value of the house.

Attributive participle as adjective.

Wurde Ihr Flug ebenfalls wegen des Unwetters gestrichen?

Was your flight also cancelled due to the storm?

Formal passive question.

Der Lektor hat viele unnötige Adjektive gestrichen.

The editor deleted many unnecessary adjectives.

Editorial context.

Das Konzert ist leider ersatzlos gestrichen worden.

The concert has unfortunately been cancelled without replacement.

Passive perfect.

Achten Sie auf einen gestrichenen Teelöffel bei der Dosierung.

Pay attention to a level teaspoon when dosing.

Instructional use.

Die Wände sind in einem warmen Beigeton gestrichen.

The walls are painted in a warm beige tone.

Descriptive adjective phrase.

Die Subventionen für den Kohlebergbau wurden endgültig gestrichen.

The subsidies for coal mining were finally cut.

Political/Economic context.

In der Partitur ist das hohe C als gestrichene Note markiert.

In the score, the high C is marked as a 'stroked' (octave-specific) note.

Musical technical term.

Nach der Zensur waren weite Teile des Artikels gestrichen.

After censorship, large parts of the article were blacked out.

Context of censorship.

Das Projekt wurde aufgrund mangelnder Erfolgsaussichten gestrichen.

The project was cancelled due to a lack of prospects for success.

Formal reasoning.

Die Farbe der gestrichenen Holzpaneele verblasst im Sonnenlicht.

The color of the painted wood panels fades in the sunlight.

Complex noun phrase.

Alle redundanten Informationen wurden konsequent gestrichen.

All redundant information was consistently deleted.

Adverbial modification.

Ein gestrichenes Maß ist in der Chemie oft entscheidend.

A level measurement is often crucial in chemistry.

Scientific precision.

Das Treffen wurde kurzfristig von der Agenda gestrichen.

The meeting was removed from the agenda at short notice.

Administrative context.

Die einstimmig gestrichenen Passagen zeugen von der Einigkeit der Kommission.

The unanimously deleted passages testify to the unity of the commission.

High-level political discourse.

Das eingestrichene C ist der Referenzpunkt für viele Blasinstrumente.

Middle C (one-stroke C) is the reference point for many wind instruments.

Specific musical terminology.

Sämtliche Vorbehalte wurden nach dem Gespräch gestrichen.

All reservations were dropped after the conversation.

Metaphorical use for abstract concepts.

Die Ästhetik der gestrichenen Leere dominiert das moderne Design.

The aesthetics of 'deleted emptiness' (minimalism) dominates modern design.

Philosophical/Artistic use.

Das Gesetz wurde in seiner jetzigen Form faktisch gestrichen.

The law was effectively repealed in its current form.

Legal nuance.

Ein gestrichener Teelöffel feinsten Pulvers wurde der Lösung beigefügt.

A level teaspoon of finest powder was added to the solution.

Technical instruction.

Die Erinnerung an jenen Tag scheint aus seinem Gedächtnis gestrichen.

The memory of that day seems to have been erased from his memory.

Literary/Metaphorical use.

Wegen der Haushaltskrise wurden die Mittel für Kultur drastisch gestrichen.

Due to the budget crisis, funds for culture were drastically cut.

Complex socio-political context.

Common Collocations

frisch gestrichen

Flug gestrichen

gestrichener Teelöffel

ersatzlos gestrichen

weiß gestrichen

vom Plan gestrichen

aus der Liste gestrichen

zweimal gestrichen

drastisch gestrichen

kurzfristig gestrichen

Common Phrases

Das ist gestrichen!

— That is off the table / not happening anymore. Used to end a plan or debate.

Der Ausflug am Sonntag? Das ist gestrichen!

Frisch gestrichen!

— Wet paint! A common warning sign found on benches and doors.

Setz dich nicht dort hin, da steht 'Frisch gestrichen!'

Ersatzlos gestrichen.

— Cancelled without replacement. Often used for trains or job positions.

Der Regionalexpress wurde heute ersatzlos gestrichen.

Von der Liste gestrichen.

— Removed from the list. Can apply to people or tasks.

Ich habe diesen Punkt endlich von meiner Liste gestrichen.

Ein gestrichenes Maß.

— A level measure. Used for precision in science or cooking.

Für dieses Experiment benötigen wir ein gestrichenes Maß an Schwefel.

Etwas aus dem Gedächtnis streichen.

— To erase something from one's memory. (Participle: gestrichen).

Diesen Tag habe ich aus meinem Gedächtnis gestrichen.

Den Rotstift ansetzen und streichen.

— To use the red pen and delete/cut. (Participle: gestrichen).

Im neuen Haushalt wurde überall gestrichen.

Die Segel streichen.

— To give up / to strike the sails. (Participle: gestrichen).

Nach langem Kampf hat er die Segel gestrichen.

Glatt gestrichen.

— Smoothed over. Used for surfaces or dough.

Die Creme wurde auf dem Kuchen glatt gestrichen.

Bunt gestrichen.

— Painted in bright colors. Often used for children's items.

Das Spielhaus ist bunt gestrichen.

Often Confused With

gestrichen vs gemalt

English 'painted' covers both. Use 'gemalt' for art, 'gestrichen' for surfaces.

gestrichen vs abgesagt

Use 'abgesagt' for events, 'gestrichen' for transport/lists.

gestrichen vs bestrichen

Use 'bestrichen' for spreading butter/jam, 'gestrichen' for paint/cancellation.

Idioms & Expressions

"Das kannst du dir von der Backe streichen!"

— You can forget about that! / That's not going to happen.

Ein neues Auto? Das kannst du dir von der Backe streichen!

informal

"Die Segel streichen"

— To give up, to admit defeat.

Die Firma musste nach der Krise die Segel streichen.

neutral

"Etwas dick streichen"

— To apply something thickly (literal or metaphorical).

Er hat die Butter dick auf das Brot gestrichen.

neutral

"Die Flagge streichen"

— To surrender (nautical origin).

Der Gegner musste schließlich die Flagge streichen.

formal/literary

"Um die Häuser streichen"

— To prowl or wander around the neighborhood (usually at night).

Die Jugendlichen sind die ganze Nacht um die Häuser gestrichen.

informal

"Durch die Wälder streichen"

— To roam through the woods.

Der Wolf ist tagelang durch die Wälder gestrichen.

literary

"Sich etwas aus dem Kopf streichen"

— To put something out of one's mind.

Du solltest dir die Idee mit der Weltreise aus dem Kopf streichen.

neutral

"Glatte Worte streichen"

— To use smooth/flattering words (less common today).

Er versuchte sie mit gestrichenen Worten zu überzeugen.

archaic

"Alles über einen Kamm streichen"

— To treat everything/everyone the same (generalize).

Man darf nicht alle Politiker über einen Kamm streichen.

neutral

"Den Rotstift streichen lassen"

— To make significant cuts (usually financial).

In der Bildungsabteilung wurde der Rotstift gestrichen.

neutral

Easily Confused

gestrichen vs gemalt

Both mean 'painted' in English.

Gemalt is for artistic creation; gestrichen is for applying a coat of paint to an object or wall.

Ich habe ein Bild gemalt, aber die Wand gestrichen.

gestrichen vs abgesagt

Both mean 'cancelled'.

Abgesagt is for social events or appointments; gestrichen is for scheduled services or items on a list.

Die Party wurde abgesagt, weil der Flug gestrichen wurde.

gestrichen vs bestrichen

They sound similar and both come from 'streichen'.

Bestrichen is for spreading a substance on something (like bread); gestrichen is for painting or cancelling.

Das Brot ist mit Honig bestrichen, aber der Termin ist gestrichen.

gestrichen vs annulliert

Synonyms for 'cancelled'.

Annulliert is very formal/legal; gestrichen is more common in daily speech and announcements.

Der Flug wurde offiziell annulliert und am Gate als 'gestrichen' angezeigt.

gestrichen vs gelöscht

Both mean 'deleted'.

Gelöscht is usually for digital data or fire; gestrichen is for physical lists or editorial changes in text.

Ich habe die E-Mail gelöscht, aber den Namen von der Liste gestrichen.

Sentence Patterns

Die [Nomen] ist [Farbe] gestrichen.

Die Wand ist weiß gestrichen.

Der [Transport] wurde gestrichen.

Der Flug wurde gestrichen.

Wegen [Genitiv] wurde [Nomen] gestrichen.

Wegen des Streiks wurde der Zug gestrichen.

Ein [Adjektiv] gestrichenes [Nomen] ...

Ein frisch gestrichenes Zimmer ist hell.

Es wurde entschieden, dass [Nomen] gestrichen wird.

Es wurde entschieden, dass die Subventionen gestrichen werden.

Die Tatsache, dass [Nomen] gestrichen wurde, bedeutet ...

Die Tatsache, dass der Absatz gestrichen wurde, bedeutet eine Änderung der Aussage.

[Nomen] ist von der Liste gestrichen.

Dieser Punkt ist von der Liste gestrichen.

Nimm einen gestrichenen [Löffel] ...

Nimm einen gestrichenen Teelöffel Zucker.

Word Family

Nouns

Anstrich

Strich

Streichung

Maler

Streicher

Verbs

streichen

anstreichen

bestreichen

ausstreichen

durchstreichen

verstreichen

unterstreichen

Adjectives

streichfähig

gestrichen

bestrichen

unterstrichen

Pinsel

Farbe

Absage

Annullierung

Streichquartett

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in everyday life (renovation) and travel.

Common Mistakes

Ich habe ein Bild gestrichen. → Ich habe ein Bild gemalt.
You use 'gestrichen' for walls, not for artistic paintings.
Der Flug ist abgesagt. → Der Flug ist gestrichen.
While 'abgesagt' is understandable, 'gestrichen' is the standard term for transport.
Das Brot ist gestrichen. → Das Brot ist bestrichen.
Use 'bestrichen' for spreading something on a surface like bread.
Die Wand ist frisch gestrichener. → Die Wand ist frisch gestrichen.
Don't add an extra '-er' unless it's a masculine attributive adjective.
Ich strich den Flug. → Ich habe den Flug gestrichen. / Der Flug wurde gestrichen.
In spoken German, the perfect tense or passive is more natural for this context.

Tips

Adjective Agreement

Don't forget that 'gestrichen' as an adjective needs endings: 'der gestrichene Flug', 'die gestrichene Wand', 'das gestrichene Zimmer'.

Paint vs. Art

Always use 'gemalt' for artistic paintings and 'gestrichen' for walls and furniture. This is a very common mistake for English speakers.

Travel Announcements

If you hear 'gestrichen' at the airport, go to the service desk immediately. It means your flight is not happening.

Baking Precision

In German recipes, 'gestrichen' is key. Use a knife to level off your measuring spoon for the perfect result.

Ending Plans

Use 'Das ist gestrichen!' to tell someone a plan is definitely cancelled. It sounds very native and decisive.

Wet Paint Signs

Look out for 'Frisch gestrichen' signs in public parks. They are usually small and easy to miss!

Editing

When you delete a sentence in your draft, you can say 'Ich habe diesen Satz gestrichen'.

Budget Cuts

In business news, look for 'Streichungen'. It refers to cuts in jobs or funding.

Octaves

If you study music in German, 'gestrichen' helps you identify the correct octave on the staff.

Strike Connection

Remember the English word 'strike'. To strike through a name is to 'streichen' it.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a painter 'striking' a brush against a wall. Now imagine a red pen 'striking' through a flight on a list. Both are 'gestrichen'.

Visual Association

Imagine a wall half-painted in bright blue and a giant red 'X' over an airplane. Both represent 'gestrichen'.

Word Web

Farbe Wand Flug Zug Löffel Liste Budget Rotstift

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house that are 'gestrichen' and write a sentence for each. Then, look up a German flight board online and find a flight that is 'gestrichen'.

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle High German verb 'strīchen', which comes from the Old High German 'strīhhan'. It is related to the English word 'strike' and 'stroke'. The original meaning was to move one's hand or an object over a surface.

Original meaning: To rub, stroke, or move smoothly over a surface.

Germanic

Cultural Context

None, but be careful using it for 'removing' people from lists in historical contexts as it can sound harsh.

English speakers often use 'cancelled' for everything, but Germans distinguish between 'gestrichen' (schedules) and 'abgesagt' (events).

Frisch gestrichen (A common comedy trope in German sketches) Die gestrichene Note (Musical theory reference) Sparpaket (Political context where things are gestrichen)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Airport/Train Station

Ist der Flug gestrichen?
Warum wurde der Zug gestrichen?
Mein Anschluss ist gestrichen.
Wo steht, dass es gestrichen ist?

Renovating a House

Die Wände sind frisch gestrichen.
Welche Farbe habt ihr gestrichen?
Das muss noch gestrichen werden.
Ist die Farbe schon trocken?

Cooking/Baking

Ein gestrichener Teelöffel Salz.
Bitte nur gestrichene Löffel verwenden.
Ist das ein gehäufter oder gestrichener Löffel?
Die Creme wird glatt gestrichen.

Office/Business

Das Projekt wurde gestrichen.
Wir haben die Kosten gestrichen.
Der Termin ist gestrichen.
Streichen Sie diesen Punkt von der Liste.

Editing Text

Dieser Satz wurde gestrichen.
Warum hast du das gestrichen?
Die Korrekturen sind gestrichen.
Zuviel Text wurde gestrichen.

Conversation Starters

"Hast du schon mal eine Wand in deiner Wohnung selbst gestrichen?"

"Was machst du, wenn dein Flug plötzlich gestrichen wird?"

"Findest du, dass in deutschen Haushalten zu viel gestrichen wird (Budgetkürzungen)?"

"Wie wichtig ist ein gestrichener Löffel beim Backen für dich?"

"Wurde dir schon mal ein wichtiger Termin kurzfristig gestrichen?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe einen Tag, an dem all deine Pläne gestrichen wurden. Wie hast du dich gefühlt?

Wenn du dein Zimmer neu streichen könntest, welche Farbe würdest du wählen und warum?

Schreibe über eine Situation am Flughafen, in der ein Flug gestrichen wurde.

Welche Ausgaben in deinem Leben hast du in letzter Zeit gestrichen?

Denkst du, dass man redundante Wörter in Texten immer streichen sollte?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Nein, das wäre falsch. Für Kunstwerke verwendet man 'gemalt'. 'Gestrichen' würde bedeuten, dass man das Bild mit Wandfarbe übermalt hat.

Das bedeutet, dass etwas abgesagt wurde und es keinen Ersatztermin oder eine Alternative gibt. Es wird oft bei Zügen verwendet.

Es ist das Partizip II des Verbs 'streichen' und kann als Adjektiv (die gestrichene Wand) oder in Passivsätzen (die Wand wurde gestrichen) verwendet werden.

Man sagt 'ein gestrichener Teelöffel'. Das Gegenteil ist 'ein gehäufter Teelöffel' (heaping teaspoon).

Es kommt von der Vorstellung, dass der Flug von einem Flugplan oder einer Liste 'durchgestrichen' (crossed out) wurde.

Sie sind oft synonym. 'Angestrichen' betont oft den Vorgang des Anstreichens einer Oberfläche, während 'gestrichen' den Zustand oder die generelle Handlung beschreibt.

Nur im übertragenen Sinne, wenn jemand von einer Liste entfernt wurde: 'Er wurde von der Gästeliste gestrichen'.

Es bedeutet 'wet paint'. Es ist eine Warnung, dass die Farbe auf einer Oberfläche noch nicht trocken ist.

Ja, es bezeichnet bestimmte Oktaven, zum Beispiel das 'eingestrichene C' (C1).

Es kommt vom starken Verb 'streichen' (streichen, strich, gestrichen).