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der Becher
cup
A small drinking vessel, usually without a handle, often made of plastic, cardboard, or ceramic.
example
Kannst du mir einen Becher Wasser geben?
Can you give me a cup of water?
der Becher
cup
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
Whether a 'Becher' (cup/container) is a drinking vessel or a package can be recognized from the contents. If people are talking about drinks like water or juice, it is a drinking vessel. If they are talking about foods like yogurt or cream, it is the packaging.
EXAMPLE
Für die Party brauchen wir noch Plastikbecher für die Getränke.
For the party, we still need plastic cups for the drinks.
Typical materials
As a drinking vessel, 'Becher' (cup) is often combined with the material it is made of. Typical examples are 'Plastikbecher' (plastic cup), 'Pappbecher' (paper cup), or also the 'Kaffeebecher' (coffee cup) for on the go.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Festival gab es nur Getränke in Mehrwegbechern.
At the festival, there were only drinks in reusable cups.
Typical foods
As packaging, the 'Becher' (container) is typical for many dairy products. Common combinations are 'ein Becher Joghurt' (a container of yogurt), 'ein Becher Sahne' (a container of cream), or 'ein Becher Quark' (a container of quark).
EXAMPLE
Für das Rezept benötige ich einen Becher Schmand.
For the recipe, I need a container of sour cream.
Compare with
Becher vs Glas
glass / jar
'das Glas' and 'der Becher' can both be a vessel for drinking. However, 'Glas' often also says that the vessel is actually made of glass. In addition, 'ein Glas Wasser' (a glass of water) can also refer to the amount. 'Becher' is used more for a simple drinking vessel without a handle, often made of plastic, cardboard, or ceramic. Learners can confuse the words because you can drink from both. A practical guide is: in a restaurant, people usually say 'ein Glas Wasser'; at a picnic or for coffee to go, more likely 'ein Becher'.
Becher
Für den Kaffee unterwegs nimmt Anna einen Becher mit Deckel.
Anna takes a cup with a lid for her coffee on the go.
Glas
Nach dem Lauf trinkt er ein großes Glas Wasser.
After the run, he drinks a large glass of water.
In real life
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