01
das Loch
hole
An opening or indentation in a surface or object that has been created by a loss of material.
example
Ich habe ein Loch in meiner Socke.
I have a hole in my sock.
das Loch
hole
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'löchern' is derived from the noun 'das Loch' (hole). Colloquially, 'jemanden mit Fragen löchern' means to bombard someone with many questions nonstop.
EXAMPLE
Die Journalisten löcherten den Politiker mit Fragen.
The journalists bombarded the politician with questions.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'jemandem ein Loch in den Bauch fragen' means to ask someone an extremely large number of, often curious, questions. The person being asked is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Mein kleiner Neffe hat mir den ganzen Nachmittag ein Loch in den Bauch gefragt.
My little nephew spent the whole afternoon asking me question after question.
Typical verbs
In connection with a physical hole, verbs are often used that describe its creation or removal. Typical ones are 'ein Loch graben' (to dig a hole), 'bohren' (to drill), 'stechen' (to poke/pierce), or 'stopfen' (to plug).
EXAMPLE
Der Gärtner gräbt ein Loch für den neuen Baum.
The gardener is digging a hole for the new tree.
Context clue (finance)
You can recognize the figurative meaning of a financial deficit from words like 'Budget' (budget), 'Haushalt' (budget), or 'Kasse' (cash fund). The verb 'reißen' (to tear) is often used to describe the sudden creation of such a deficit.
EXAMPLE
Die unerwarteten Ausgaben haben ein großes Loch in unser Budget gerissen.
The unexpected expenses tore a big hole in our budget.
Fixed expression
The idiom for a psychological crisis is 'in einem Loch sein' (to be in a hole) or 'in einem Loch stecken' (to be stuck in a hole). The person who feels bad is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Jobverlust steckte er in einem tiefen Loch.
After losing his job, he was stuck in a deep hole.
Colloquial meaning
When 'Loch' (hole) describes a place, it is usually colloquial and strongly derogatory. It refers to a boring, unattractive, or run-down place.
EXAMPLE
Er nannte seine Heimatstadt immer nur „dieses gottverlassene Loch“.
He always called his hometown 'this godforsaken dump'.
Technical meaning
In physics and semiconductor technology, 'Loch' (hole) has a very specific technical meaning. There, it refers to a missing negative charge (electron) that acts like a positive charge.
EXAMPLE
In p-dotierten Halbleitern sind die Löcher die Mehrheitsladungsträger.
In p-doped semiconductors, the holes are the majority charge carriers.
Compare with
Loch vs Krise
crisis
'Krise' and 'Loch' can both describe a difficult situation. 'Krise' sounds more serious and often means a dangerous or unstable situation in which something has to be decided. This can be private, political, or economic. 'Loch' is more figurative and often colloquial: you can be in an emotional 'Loch' or have a financial 'Loch'. The words can be confused because both can refer to negative phases. 'Krise' is more suitable for major or decisive problems, while 'Loch' is more suitable for a gap or a phase in which someone is doing badly.
Loch
Nach der Prüfung war Maria völlig erschöpft und fiel in ein tiefes Loch.
After the exam, Maria was completely exhausted and fell into a deep hole.
Krise
Nach dem Verlust vieler Kunden steckt die Firma in einer Krise.
After losing many customers, the company is in a crisis.
In real life
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