die Kugel
bullet
A projectile fired from a gun.
EXAMPLE
Die Kugel traf die Zielscheibe genau in der Mitte.
The bullet hit the target right in the middle.
die Kugel
bullet / scoop / sphere
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Meanings
die Kugel
scoop
A portion of ice cream shaped with an ice cream scoop.
EXAMPLE
Ich hätte gern eine Kugel Schokoladeneis im Becher.
I'd like a scoop of chocolate ice cream in a cup.
die Kugel
sphere
A perfectly round, three-dimensional geometric body; a sphere.
EXAMPLE
Die Erde ist keine perfekte Kugel, sondern an den Polen leicht abgeflacht.
The Earth is not a perfect sphere, but slightly flattened at the poles.
die Kugel
shot
The heavy, round piece of sports equipment used in shot put.
EXAMPLE
Der Athlet stieß die Kugel über 20 Meter weit.
The athlete put the shot over 20 meters.
eine ruhige Kugel schieben
to have it easy
A colloquial idiom meaning to have easy, relaxed work or to have little to do.
EXAMPLE
Seit er in die neue Abteilung versetzt wurde, schiebt er eine ruhige Kugel.
Since he was transferred to the new department, he's had it easy.
Usage tips
Context clues
Since 'Kugel' has many meanings, context is crucial. Verbs like 'abfeuern' (to fire) or 'treffen' (to hit) point to a projectile (m01). Words like 'Eis' (ice cream), 'lecker' (delicious), or 'bestellen' (to order) refer to ice cream (m02). The sports context becomes clear through the verb 'stoßen' (to put/push) (m04).
EXAMPLE
Er bestellte drei Kugeln Eis mit Sahne.
He ordered three scoops of ice cream with whipped cream.
Typical collocations
When ordering ice cream, 'Kugel' (scoop) is often combined with the flavor. For example, you say 'eine Kugel Schokolade' (one scoop of chocolate) or 'zwei Kugeln Vanille' (two scoops of vanilla).
EXAMPLE
Ich nehme eine Kugel Zitrone und eine Kugel Erdbeere, bitte.
I'll have one scoop of lemon and one scoop of strawberry, please.
In the context of weapons
In connection with firearms, typical phrases are 'eine Kugel abfeuern' (to fire a bullet), 'von einer Kugel getroffen werden' (to be hit by a bullet), or that a bullet is 'im Lauf steckt' (stuck in the barrel).
EXAMPLE
Der Polizist feuerte eine Kugel in die Luft.
The police officer fired a bullet into the air.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'eine ruhige Kugel schieben' is a fixed unit. It means that someone has a very relaxed job or does not have to make much effort. The verb 'schieben' (to push) is not meant literally here.
EXAMPLE
Im neuen Job kann er endlich eine ruhige Kugel schieben.
In the new job, he can finally take it easy.
In sports
In athletics, 'die Kugel' (the shot) is used almost exclusively with the verb 'stoßen' (to put/push). The sport is called 'das Kugelstoßen' (shot put).
EXAMPLE
Die Athletin bereitet sich darauf vor, die Kugel zu stoßen.
The athlete is preparing to put the shot.
Compare with
Kugel vs Ball
ball
Both words can refer to a round piece of sports equipment, but the usual term depends on the sport. „Ball“ refers to equipment that you throw, catch, or kick, for example, while „Kugel“ here specifically refers to the heavy implement used in shot put. So use the term associated with the sport.
Kugel
Beim Kugelstoßen rollte die schwere Kugel nach dem Wurf über den Rasen.
During the shot-put event, the heavy shot rolled across the grass after the throw.
Ball
Beim Fußball rollte der Ball über den nassen Rasen.
During the soccer game, the ball rolled across the wet grass.
In real life
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