der Lappen
rag / cloth
A piece of cloth used for cleaning, wiping, or drying.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir bitte einen nassen Lappen geben, um den Tisch abzuwischen?
Can you please give me a wet cloth to wipe the table?
der Lappen
rag / license / wimp
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Meanings
der Lappen
driver's license
A colloquial, often slightly derogatory term for a driver's license.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Unfall musste er für drei Monate seinen Lappen abgeben.
After the accident, he had to hand in his license for three months.
der Lappen
wimp
A colloquial, derogatory term for a weak, cowardly, or listless person.
EXAMPLE
Sei doch nicht so ein Lappen und sag ihm endlich deine Meinung!
Don't be such a wimp and finally tell him what you think!
der Lappen
lobe
In anatomy and biology, a divided, rounded part of an organ, for example the lung or the brain.
EXAMPLE
Die Entzündung betrifft den unteren Lappen der rechten Lunge.
The inflammation affects the lower lobe of the right lung.
Usage tips
Context is everything
This word has four very different meanings. The context makes it clear whether it refers to a cleaning cloth (neutral), a driver's license (colloquial), an insult (derogatory), or a medical term (technical language).
EXAMPLE
Gib mir bitte den Lappen, ich habe etwas verschüttet.
Please give me the cloth; I spilled something.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'Putztuch' (cleaning cloth), the word is often combined with verbs related to cleaning. Typical phrases are 'etwas mit einem Lappen abwischen' (to wipe something with a cloth), 'einen Lappen auswringen' (to wring out a cloth), or 'einen Lappen benutzen' (to use a cloth).
EXAMPLE
Wisch bitte den verschütteten Kaffee mit einem feuchten Lappen auf.
Please wipe up the spilled coffee with a damp cloth.
Colloquial: driver's license
The term 'der Lappen' for a driver's license is very common, but purely colloquial. You often hear it in connection with the verbs 'abgeben' (to hand in), 'verlieren' (to lose), 'machen' (to get), or 'wegnehmen' (to take away).
EXAMPLE
Wegen zu schnellem Fahren ist er seinen Lappen für einen Monat los.
Because of speeding, he lost his license for a month.
Colloquial: insult
Calling someone a 'Lappen' (wimp) is a colloquial insult. It describes a person who is seen as weak-willed, cowardly, or boring.
EXAMPLE
Trau dich endlich und sei nicht so ein Lappen!
Finally have the courage and don't be such a wimp!
Technical language: medicine
In medicine or biology, 'Lappen' (lobe) refers to a separated part of an organ. This use belongs to technical language and is not used in normal everyday speech.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt erklärte, dass der rechte Lungenlappen entzündet ist.
The doctor explained that the right lung lobe is inflamed.
Compare with
Lappen vs Schein
bill / glow / appearance
In the right context, Schein can be used as a shortened form for a document such as a driver's license. Lappen explicitly refers to a driver's license in colloquial and often slightly disparaging language. Schein is more suitable in a neutral conversation, while Lappen conveys a casual or mocking attitude.
Lappen
Nach der bestandenen Fahrprüfung habe ich endlich meinen Lappen bekommen.
After passing my driving test, I finally got my driver's license.
Schein
Nach der bestandenen Fahrprüfung habe ich endlich meinen Schein bekommen.
After passing my driving test, I finally got my driver's license.
In real life
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