Nägeln

Nägeln is a German term that can function as the dative plural form of the noun Nagel (nail) and appears in phrases such as mit Nägeln, meaning with nails. In dictionary and grammar use, Nägeln shows how German inflects plural nouns in the dative case when combined with an article or preposition. The base noun Nagel refers to the small metal fastener used to join materials.

In everyday use, nails are hardware fasteners designed to secure components, most commonly wood, by driving a metal shaft with a head into the material. They come in various materials, coatings, and head styles to suit different tasks. Common types include framing nails for structural work, finishing nails with smaller heads for visible surfaces, box nails for light carpentry, and roofing nails with specialized heads and coatings. Shanks may be smooth or ringed to improve grip, and heads can be large or small depending on the intended finish and load.

Manufacture and standards have evolved over time. Nails were historically forged from wrought iron and later from steel. Industrial production shifted to wire nails produced by cold-heading processes, enabling high volume and uniform dimensions. Coatings such as zinc galvanization or polymer coatings improve corrosion resistance, while regional standards determine size, head type, and finish. Nails are installed with hammers, claw-nailers, or pneumatic nail guns, and are a fundamental component in construction, carpentry, and various repair tasks.