die Blase
blister
A small swelling on the skin filled with fluid, often caused by friction or a burn.
EXAMPLE
Von den neuen Wanderschuhen habe ich eine Blase am Fuß bekommen.
I got a blister on my foot from the new hiking boots.
die Blase
blister / bladder / bubble
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Meanings
die Blase
bladder
The organ in the body of humans and animals that collects urine before it is excreted. Often used as a short form of 'Harnblase' (urinary bladder).
EXAMPLE
Er musste nachts oft aufstehen, weil seine Blase drückte.
He often had to get up at night because his bladder was pressing.
die Blase
bubble
A small sphere filled with air or another gas, made from a thin layer of liquid.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder lieben es, Seifenblasen in den Himmel steigen zu lassen.
The children love letting soap bubbles rise into the sky.
die Blase
bubble
In a figurative sense, an isolated area, for example on social media, or an economic situation in which prices are artificially overvalued and are in danger of bursting.
EXAMPLE
Viele Experten warnten vor dem Platzen der Immobilienblase.
Many experts warned that the real estate bubble would burst.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'die Blase' (blister / bladder / bubble) is related to the verb 'blasen' (to blow). The basic idea is always something that is filled with air or liquid and is therefore rounded.
EXAMPLE
Der Wind bläst heute sehr stark.
The wind is blowing very strongly today.
Context clue
The context always reveals which meaning of 'Blase' is meant. Words like 'Fuß' (foot) or 'Haut' (skin) point to a blister, 'Seife' (soap) to a soap bubble, and 'Immobilien' (real estate) or 'Aktien' (stocks) to an economic bubble.
EXAMPLE
Autsch, ich habe eine Blase an der Ferse.
Ouch, I have a blister on my heel.
Typical collocations
A blister on the skin is something you 'have' or 'get'. A typical expression is 'sich (Dativ) eine Blase laufen' (to walk oneself into getting a blister), when you get one from walking too long.
EXAMPLE
Bei der Wanderung habe ich mir eine große Blase gelaufen.
I got a big blister from the hike.
Colloquial expression
The expression 'Die Blase drückt' (the bladder is pressing) is a colloquial and indirect way of saying that you urgently need to go to the toilet.
EXAMPLE
Können wir bald eine Pause machen? Meine Blase drückt.
Can we take a break soon? I really need to go to the bathroom.
Fixed expression
In a figurative sense, especially in economics, the expression 'die Blase platzt' (the bubble bursts) is often used. It describes the moment when an overvaluation collapses.
EXAMPLE
Experten befürchten, dass die Immobilienblase bald platzen könnte.
Experts fear that the real estate bubble could burst soon.
Compare with
Blase vs Bubble
bubble
Blase and Bubble can both refer to an isolated social or informational environment. Blase is the more established term and is also suitable in neutral texts. Bubble is especially common in digital and informal usage, for example in the context of social media.
Blase
Viele Menschen in dieser sozialen Blase lesen nur Nachrichten, die ihre Meinung bestätigen.
Many people in this social bubble read only news that confirms their opinions.
Bubble
Viele Menschen in dieser Online-Bubble lesen nur Nachrichten, die ihre Meinung bestätigen.
Many people in this online bubble read only news that confirms their opinions.
In real life
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