der Busch
bush
A low, woody plant with several stems growing directly out of the ground; a shrub.
EXAMPLE
Hinter dem Haus wächst ein großer Rosenbusch.
A large rose bush is growing behind the house.
der Busch
bush
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Meanings
auf den Busch klopfen
to sound someone out
An idiomatic expression meaning to cautiously ask someone or probe for information without asking directly.
EXAMPLE
Ich werde bei ihm mal vorsichtig auf den Busch klopfen, um herauszufinden, was er plant.
I'll cautiously sound him out to find out what he's planning.
Usage tips
Part of compounds
The word 'Busch' (bush) is often used as the base word in compound nouns to refer to a specific type of shrub. Examples include 'der Rosenbusch' (rose bush), 'der Holunderbusch' (elderberry bush), or 'der Dornenbusch' (thorn bush).
EXAMPLE
Im Frühling blüht der Fliederbusch im Garten wunderschön.
In spring, the lilac bush in the garden blooms beautifully.
Context clue
You can always recognize the idiomatic meaning by the fixed combination with the verb 'klopfen' (to knock). In all other cases, especially when the topic is plants or gardens, the literal meaning 'Strauch' (shrub/bush) is meant.
EXAMPLE
Er klopfte auf den Busch, um zu sehen, ob sie Interesse hatte.
He sounded her out to see whether she was interested.
Fixed expression
The expression 'auf den Busch klopfen' is a fixed unit. It means to ask cautiously in order to obtain information without addressing the topic directly.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin nicht sicher, ob sie mit dem Vorschlag einverstanden ist. Ich klopfe mal bei ihr auf den Busch.
I'm not sure whether she agrees with the proposal. I'll sound her out.
Compare with
Busch vs Gebüsch
shrubbery
A Busch is normally a single low, woody plant with several stems. Gebüsch, by contrast, refers to several bushes growing close together as a group. The key distinction is whether a single plant or dense vegetation is meant.
Busch
Hinter dem Haus wächst ein großer Busch.
A large bush is growing behind the house.
Gebüsch
Hinter dem Haus wächst dichtes Gebüsch aus mehreren Sträuchern.
Dense shrubbery made up of several bushes is growing behind the house.
In real life
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