der Kreisel
top
A children's toy designed so that, after being spun, it rotates quickly around its own axis.
EXAMPLE
Das Kind ließ den bunten Kreisel auf dem Boden tanzen.
The child made the colorful top dance on the floor.
der Kreisel
top / roundabout
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
der Kreisel
roundabout
A colloquial or regional term for a roundabout, that is, a circular traffic layout at an intersection.
EXAMPLE
Nehmen Sie im Kreisel die dritte Ausfahrt.
Take the third exit in the roundabout.
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'Kreisel' (top / roundabout) comes from the noun 'Kreis' (circle) and the verb 'kreiseln' (to spin in circles). This idea of rotation connects both meanings: the spinning toy and the circular traffic layout.
EXAMPLE
Der Tänzer drehte sich schnell wie ein Kreisel.
The dancer spun quickly like a top.
Context clue
Whether the toy or the roundabout is meant is easy to tell from context. Words like 'spielen' (to play), 'Kind' (child), or 'Boden' (floor) point to the toy, while 'Auto' (car), 'Ausfahrt' (exit), or 'Verkehr' (traffic) refer to the roundabout.
EXAMPLE
Mein Sohn hat zu Weihnachten einen neuen Kreisel bekommen.
My son got a new top for Christmas.
Register and region
In the meaning 'Kreisverkehr' (roundabout), 'Kreisel' (roundabout) is a colloquial term and is especially common in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The official term that is understood everywhere is 'der Kreisverkehr' (roundabout).
EXAMPLE
In der Schweiz gibt es sehr viele Kreisel.
There are a lot of roundabouts in Switzerland.
Typical collocations
In connection with traffic, typical phrases such as 'in den Kreisel fahren' (to drive into the roundabout), 'im Kreisel die Ausfahrt nehmen' (to take the exit in the roundabout), or 'den Kreisel verlassen' (to leave the roundabout) are used.
EXAMPLE
Du musst in den Kreisel fahren und dann die erste Ausfahrt rechts nehmen.
You have to drive into the roundabout and then take the first exit on the right.
Compare with
Kreisel vs Kreisverkehr
roundabout
Kreisverkehr and Kreisel both refer to a circular traffic layout at an intersection. Kreisverkehr is the standard term, while Kreisel is used colloquially or regionally and can also refer to a child's spinning top. In neutral information and when talking about road traffic, Kreisverkehr is the safer choice.
Kreisel
An der nächsten Kreuzung biegen wir im Kreisel rechts in die Hauptstraße ab.
At the next intersection, we'll turn right at the roundabout onto the main road.
Kreisverkehr
Vor dem Kreisverkehr musst du langsamer fahren und auf die anderen Fahrzeuge achten.
You have to slow down before the roundabout and watch out for the other vehicles.
In real life
Loading video examples...