die Kappe
cap
A head covering with a brim, worn especially in leisure time, similar to a baseball cap.
EXAMPLE
Er trägt bei Sonnenschein immer eine Kappe.
He always wears a cap when it's sunny.
die Kappe
cap
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Meanings
die Kappe
cap / lid
A small lid or cover used to close pens, bottles, or other openings.
EXAMPLE
Vergiss nicht, die Kappe wieder auf den Stift zu stecken.
Don't forget to put the cap back on the pen.
etwas auf seine Kappe nehmen
to take the blame
To take responsibility or blame for something.
EXAMPLE
Den Fehler nehme ich voll auf meine Kappe.
I'll take full blame for the mistake.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning of 'Kappe' (cap) becomes clear from the verb in the sentence. Verbs like 'tragen' (to wear), 'aufsetzen' (to put on), or 'aufhaben' (to have on) refer to the head covering. Verbs like 'aufstecken' (to put on), 'zuschrauben' (to screw on), or 'abnehmen' (to take off) refer to the lid.
EXAMPLE
Bei dem Wind hat er seine Kappe fest aufgesetzt.
In that wind, he put his cap on tightly.
Typical verbs
When 'Kappe' (cap) means a head covering, it is often used with the verbs 'tragen' (to wear), 'aufhaben' (to have on; state), or 'aufsetzen' (to put on; action).
EXAMPLE
Er trägt fast immer eine Kappe, auch im Haus.
He almost always wears a cap, even indoors.
Typical collocations
When 'Kappe' (cap/lid) means a lid, it is often connected with the object that it closes. Typical formulations are 'die Kappe auf den Stift stecken' (to put the cap on the pen) or 'die Kappe von der Flasche nehmen' (to take the cap off the bottle).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Schreiben solltest du die Kappe wieder auf den Stift stecken.
After writing, you should put the cap back on the pen.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'etwas auf seine Kappe nehmen' (to take the blame/responsibility for something) is a fixed structure. The possessive pronoun ('seine') is adapted to the person taking responsibility.
EXAMPLE
Das war mein Fehler, das nehme ich auf meine Kappe.
That was my mistake; I'll take the blame for it.
Compare with
Kappe vs Deckel
lid / cap
Deckel and Kappe can both refer to a small cover used to close an opening. “Kappe” is especially suitable for small, often protective closures on pens or bottles; “Deckel” more often refers to a cover over an opening. The usual product name is often a deciding factor.
Kappe
Nach dem Trinken setzte sie die Kappe wieder auf die kleine Flasche.
After drinking, she put the cap back on the small bottle.
Deckel
Nach dem Trinken setzte sie den Deckel wieder auf den Behälter.
After drinking, she put the lid back on the container.
In real life
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