der Fetzen
rag / scrap
A torn-off, irregular piece of something, usually fabric, paper, or leather.
EXAMPLE
Er wischte den Tisch mit einem alten Fetzen sauber.
He wiped the table clean with an old rag.
der Fetzen
rag / scrap
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Meanings
der Fetzen
snippet / fragment
A short, incomplete fragment of something heard or read, such as a conversation or a melody.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe nur einen Fetzen ihres Gesprächs aufgeschnappt.
I only caught a snippet of their conversation.
die Fetzen
clothes
Colloquial, usually used in the plural, for clothing.
EXAMPLE
Für die Party hat sie sich in ihre besten Fetzen geworfen.
For the party, she got dressed up in her best clothes.
der Fetzen
drunken state
Regional, especially in Austria and Bavaria, colloquial for being very drunk or in a state of intoxication.
EXAMPLE
Nach fünf Bier hatte er einen ordentlichen Fetzen.
After five beers, he was properly drunk.
Usage tips
Distinguishing meanings
The meaning of 'Fetzen' depends heavily on context. A physical piece (e.g., fabric), a piece of information (e.g., conversation), clothing (only in the plural), or drunkenness are the main distinctions.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe nur Fetzen des Liedes gehört, aber es gefiel mir.
I only heard snippets of the song, but I liked it.
Usage pattern
To name the material of a 'Fetzen' (rag/scrap), German often uses a genitive construction ('ein Fetzen Stoff' — a scrap of fabric) or a compound noun ('ein Stofffetzen' — a fabric scrap).
EXAMPLE
Ein Fetzen Papier lag auf dem Boden.
A scrap of paper was lying on the floor.
Typical collocations
In connection with information or sounds, 'Fetzen' (snippet/fragment) is often combined with verbs like 'aufschnappen' (to catch/overhear) or 'hören' (to hear). It emphasizes that you only caught a small, incomplete part.
EXAMPLE
Ich konnte durch die dünne Wand nur Fetzen ihres Streits aufschnappen.
Through the thin wall, I could only catch snippets of their argument.
Register and form
When 'Fetzen' means clothing, it is colloquial and almost always used in the plural. The expression 'sich in die besten Fetzen werfen' means to put on one's nicest clothes.
EXAMPLE
Für die Hochzeit hat sie sich in ihre besten Fetzen geworfen.
For the wedding, she got dressed up in her best clothes.
Region and register
The expression 'einen Fetzen haben' for 'to be very drunk' is colloquial and common especially in Austria and Bavaria. In other parts of Germany, it is understood less often.
EXAMPLE
Er war gestern auf dem Fest und hatte am Ende einen ziemlichen Fetzen.
He was at the festival yesterday and was pretty drunk by the end.
Compare with
Fetzen vs Lappen
rag / license / wimp
Both words can refer to a piece of cloth used for wiping. Lappen mainly names its function as a cleaning cloth, whereas Fetzen also emphasizes that it is torn, irregular, or seemingly worthless. Lappen fits a normal cleaning cloth; Fetzen is more appropriate for a torn piece of fabric.
Fetzen
Ich wischte den verschütteten Saft mit einem Fetzen aus einem alten Hemd auf.
I wiped up the spilled juice with a scrap of fabric from an old shirt.
Lappen
Ich wischte den verschütteten Saft schnell mit einem Lappen auf.
I quickly wiped up the spilled juice with a rag.
In real life
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