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Puzzlestück

puzzle piece / jigsaw piece

noun PUZ-el-shtuek Rare

Origin: from English puzzle

Also means

piece of the puzzle (figurative)

Usage Note

Puzzlestück is an individual piece of a jigsaw puzzle. Figuratively, ein fehlendes Puzzlestück (a missing piece of the puzzle) describes an unknown element in a complex situation. Common in journalism and analysis: das letzte Puzzlestück fehlt (the last piece of the puzzle is missing).

Examples

"Das letzte Puzzlestück war unter dem Sofa versteckt und fand sich erst am nächsten Morgen."

Natural Translation

The last puzzle piece was hidden under the sofa and only turned up the next morning.

Literal Translation

The last puzzle-piece was under the sofa hidden and found itself only next morning.

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