01
der Löffel
spoon
A piece of cutlery with a small, oval bowl and a handle, used for eating soups, yogurt, or other liquid to mushy foods.
example
Für die Suppe brauchst du einen Löffel, keine Gabel.
For the soup, you need a spoon, not a fork.
der Löffel
spoon
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clues
The meaning of 'Löffel' changes completely depending on the situation. In a food context, it is cutlery; on construction sites, it is a part of an excavator; and in hunting language, it is a hare’s ear.
EXAMPLE
Reich mir bitte den Löffel für die Suppe.
Please pass me the spoon for the soup.
Units of measure in recipes
'Löffel' (spoon) is the basis for two important units of measure in cooking and baking: 'der Esslöffel' (tablespoon, tbsp) for larger amounts and 'der Teelöffel' (teaspoon, tsp) for smaller amounts.
EXAMPLE
Bitte fügen Sie einen Teelöffel Zucker zum Teig hinzu.
Please add a teaspoon of sugar to the dough.
Fixed idiom
The expression 'den Löffel abgeben' means 'to die'. It is a fixed idiom, very colloquial, and should only be used in informal contexts.
EXAMPLE
Er war so krank, dass alle dachten, er würde bald den Löffel abgeben.
He was so ill that everyone thought he would soon kick the bucket.
Hunters’ terminology
The term 'Löffel' for the ears of a hare or rabbit belongs to hunters’ terminology ('Jägersprache'). In normal conversation, you would simply say 'Ohren' (ears).
EXAMPLE
Der Hase spitzte aufmerksam seine langen Löffel.
The hare attentively pricked up its long ears.
Compare with
Löffel vs sterben
to die
'sterben' and 'den Löffel abgeben' can mean the same thing: someone stops living. 'sterben' is the normal and neutral word. It fits in serious conversations, news reports, or when talking about people, animals, and plants. 'den Löffel abgeben' is a fixed idiom with 'der Löffel'. It sounds informal and often somewhat crude or joking. For that reason, you should not use it in very sad or formal situations. If you want to speak respectfully, 'sterben' is safer.
Löffel
In dem alten Film gibt der Bösewicht am Ende den Löffel ab.
In the old film, the villain kicks the bucket at the end.
sterben
Viele alte Bäume sterben, wenn der Sommer zu trocken ist.
Many old trees die if the summer is too dry.
In real life
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