Gedankenstrich

dash

noun guh-DAHN-ken-shtrikh Rare

Also means

em dash

Usage Note

Gedankenstrich is the long dash used to mark a pause or insertion, literally a 'thought-stroke'. It is set off with spaces in German, unlike English. Contrast it with the shorter Bindestrich. The plural is Gedankenstriche.

Examples

"Ein Gedankenstrich kündigt oft eine überraschende Wendung an."

Natural Translation

A dash often signals a surprising turn.

Literal Translation

A dash announces often a surprising turn on.

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