jug / inn
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jug
A bulbous vessel, usually made of ceramic, glass, or pewter, with a handle and often a spout for pouring liquids such as beer, water, or wine.
Der Wirt brachte einen Krug frisches Bier an den Tisch.
The innkeeper brought a jug of fresh beer to the table.
The pitcher goes so often to the well that it breaks.
A proverbial expression meaning that risky or wrongful behavior will eventually have consequences and cannot go well forever.
Er hat immer wieder kleine Beträge gestohlen, aber der Krug geht so lange zum Brunnen, bis er bricht.
He has stolen small amounts again and again, but the pitcher goes so often to the well that it breaks.
inn
An outdated or regional term for an inn or tavern, especially in northern Germany.
Nach der langen Wanderung kehrten sie im nächsten Krug ein.
After the long hike, they stopped at the next inn.
Whether a vessel (meaning 1) or an inn (meaning 3) is meant can be recognized from the verb. Actions such as 'trinken aus' (to drink from) or 'füllen' (to fill) refer to the vessel, while verbs of movement such as 'einkehren in' (to stop at) or 'gehen zu' (to go to) point to the inn.
Sie füllte den Krug mit frischer Milch.
She filled the jug with fresh milk.
As a vessel, 'Krug' (jug) is often combined with the liquids it contains. Typical phrases are 'ein Krug Wasser' (a jug of water), 'ein Krug Bier' (a jug of beer), or 'ein Krug Wein' (a jug of wine).
Könnten Sie uns bitte einen Krug Wasser für den Tisch bringen?
Could you please bring us a jug of water for the table?
This is a well-known German proverb. It is used as a fixed expression to warn that risky or wrong behavior cannot go well forever and will eventually have negative consequences.
Er lügt seine Freunde ständig an, aber der Krug geht so lange zum Brunnen, bis er bricht.
He constantly lies to his friends, but the pitcher goes so often to the well that it breaks.
The meaning 'Gastwirtschaft' (inn/tavern) is mainly common in northern Germany and is often perceived as traditional or outdated. In other regions of Germany, this usage is uncommon.
Lasst uns für ein Bier in den alten Krug an der Ecke gehen.
Let's go to the old inn on the corner for a beer.
inn
Both words can refer to an establishment where people eat and drink. Das Wirtshaus is the usual, neutral term, whereas der Krug sounds outdated or regional in this sense, especially in northern Germany. In general standard German, Wirtshaus is therefore usually the better choice.
Die Wanderer kehrten in einem alten Krug an der Küste ein.
The hikers stopped at an old inn on the coast.
Die Wanderer kehrten in einem traditionellen Wirtshaus am Dorfrand ein.
The hikers stopped at a traditional inn on the edge of the village.
