parking ticket / small tuber
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parking ticket
A colloquial expression for a ticket or fine that you receive for a minor traffic violation, especially for parking illegally.
Ich habe schon wieder ein Knöllchen bekommen, weil ich die Parkscheibe vergessen habe.
I got another parking ticket because I forgot the parking disc.
small tuber
The diminutive form of 'die Knolle' (tuber). It refers to a small tuber, that is, the thickened underground part of a plant that stores nutrients.
Aus dem kleinen Knöllchen wuchs im Frühling eine wunderschöne Tulpe.
A beautiful tulip grew from the small tuber in spring.
The word 'Knöllchen' (small tuber/parking ticket) is the diminutive form of 'die Knolle' (tuber). The ending '-chen' makes a noun neuter ('das') and expresses that something is small. This explains the botanical meaning and is used ironically for the small but annoying ticket.
Im Garten habe ich kleine Knöllchen für die neuen Blumen gepflanzt.
In the garden, I planted small tubers for the new flowers.
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'Knöllchen' (parking ticket/small tuber) from the context. If people are talking about cars, parking, traffic, or the police, it always means the ticket. If it is about plants, gardening, or botany, it means the small plant tuber.
Mist, ich habe ein Knöllchen an der Windschutzscheibe!
Damn, I have a parking ticket on the windshield!
'Knöllchen' (parking ticket) is a very common word in everyday language. In official letters or formal contexts, you are more likely to find the terms 'Strafzettel' (ticket/fine) or 'Verwarnung' (warning).
Sei vorsichtig, in dieser Straße werden oft Knöllchen verteilt.
Be careful, parking tickets are often issued on this street.
In connection with a parking ticket, 'Knöllchen' is often used with certain verbs. Typical phrases are 'ein Knöllchen bekommen' (to get a parking ticket), 'ein Knöllchen kriegen' (to get a parking ticket), or 'ein Knöllchen an der Windschutzscheibe haben' (to have a parking ticket on the windshield).
Wenn du ohne Parkschein parkst, bekommst du sicher ein Knöllchen.
If you park without a parking ticket, you're sure to get a parking ticket.
warning
A Verwarnung is the official, formal response to misconduct. Knöllchen, by contrast, is the colloquial term for the ticket or fine one receives for a minor traffic violation, especially for parking illegally.
Wegen des falschen Parkens fand die Fahrerin ein Knöllchen an der Windschutzscheibe.
The driver found a parking ticket on her windshield because she had parked illegally.
Wegen des falschen Parkens erhielt die Fahrerin eine offizielle Verwarnung.
The driver received an official warning for parking illegally.
