der Eimer
bucket
A cylindrical container with a handle, used for carrying liquids or solid materials such as sand or water.
EXAMPLE
Füll bitte den Eimer mit Wasser.
Please fill the bucket with water.
der Eimer
bucket
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
im Eimer sein
to be ruined
A colloquial expression meaning that something is broken, ruined, or lost.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sturz war mein ganzes Fahrrad im Eimer.
After the fall, my whole bike was ruined.
wie aus Eimern schütten
to pour down
An idiom meaning that it is raining very heavily.
EXAMPLE
Wir konnten nicht nach draußen gehen, weil es wie aus Eimern schüttete.
We couldn't go outside because it was pouring down.
Usage tips
Typical verbs
In its basic meaning, 'Eimer' (bucket) is often combined with verbs that describe an action involving a container. Typical phrases are 'einen Eimer füllen' (to fill a bucket), 'einen Eimer leeren' (to empty a bucket), or 'einen Eimer tragen' (to carry a bucket).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte den Eimer mit Sand füllen?
Can you please fill the bucket with sand?
Fixed expression
The colloquial expression 'im Eimer sein' (to be ruined/broken) is fixed. The subject of the sentence is the thing that is broken, followed by a form of 'sein' (to be) and the expression 'im Eimer' (ruined/broken).
EXAMPLE
Mein Handy ist ins Wasser gefallen und jetzt ist es komplett im Eimer.
My phone fell into the water and now it's completely ruined.
Sentence structure
The idiom for heavy rain has a fixed structure: the subject is always 'es' (it), and the verb is 'schütten' (to pour). The expression 'wie aus Eimern' (as if from buckets) remains unchanged.
EXAMPLE
Nimm einen Schirm mit, es schüttet wie aus Eimern!
Take an umbrella with you, it's pouring down!
Compare with
Eimer vs Kübel
bucket / old banger
Eimer and Kübel are open containers used to transport water or other materials. Eimer is the general term for the ordinary handled container. Kübel can also be used regionally, but outside Austria it often refers to a larger or more tub-like container.
Eimer
Für das Putzwasser reicht ein gewöhnlicher Eimer mit Henkel.
An ordinary handled bucket is enough for the cleaning water.
Kübel
Für die große Menge Regenwasser brauchen wir einen geräumigen Kübel.
We need a spacious tub for the large amount of rainwater.
In real life
Loading video examples...