der Dreck
dirt
Dirt, filth, refuse, or mud. Used colloquially.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Spaziergang im Regen waren seine Schuhe voller Dreck.
After the walk in the rain, his shoes were full of dirt.
der Dreck
dirt / crap
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Meanings
der Dreck
crap / mess
An unpleasant, dirty matter or something of very poor quality.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe keine Lust mehr, mich mit diesem ganzen Dreck zu beschäftigen.
I don't feel like dealing with all this crap anymore.
sich einen Dreck um etwas scheren
not give a damn
To have absolutely no interest in something; to completely ignore something. Very colloquial and crude.
EXAMPLE
Er schert sich einen Dreck darum, was andere über ihn denken.
He doesn't give a damn what others think about him.
Usage tips
Colloquial word
'Dreck' (dirt) is a colloquial word for dirt or filth. It is often avoided in more formal or written contexts.
EXAMPLE
Mach bitte deine Schuhe sauber, du bringst den ganzen Dreck ins Haus!
Please clean your shoes; you're bringing all the dirt into the house!
Word family
The adjective 'dreckig' (dirty) is derived directly from the noun 'der Dreck' (dirt). If something is 'voller Dreck' (full of dirt), then it is 'dreckig' (dirty).
EXAMPLE
Deine Hände sind ganz dreckig, wasch sie dir bitte vor dem Essen.
Your hands are really dirty; please wash them before eating.
Use in the singular
When 'Dreck' (dirt) means dirt or mud, it is treated as an uncountable noun and used almost exclusively in the singular.
EXAMPLE
Überall auf dem Boden war nasser Dreck von den Gummistiefeln.
There was wet dirt everywhere on the floor from the rubber boots.
Figurative meaning
Besides physical dirt, 'Dreck' (crap/mess) can also refer to an unpleasant situation or something of very poor quality. The context makes clear whether it is meant literally or figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Film ist der letzte Dreck, schalten wir lieber um.
This movie is complete crap; let's change the channel.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'sich einen Dreck um etwas scheren' (not to give a damn about something) is very colloquial and expresses strong disinterest. The verb 'scheren' is reflexive here and is used with the preposition 'um' + accusative.
EXAMPLE
Sie schert sich einen Dreck um seine Meinung.
She doesn't give a damn about his opinion.
Compare with
Dreck vs Mist
crap / manure
Mist and Dreck can both be used to disparage something inferior or unpleasant. Mist focuses more on poor quality or the annoyance it causes. Dreck connects the disparagement more strongly with dirt or contempt and therefore fits a particularly scornful evaluation.
Dreck
Diese schmierige Farbe ist der letzte Dreck und gehört sofort in den Müll.
This smeary paint is utter crap and should go straight in the trash.
Mist
Diese Farbe ist Mist, weil sie schlecht deckt und mich nur ärgert.
This paint is crap because it does not cover well and is only annoying me.
In real life
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