die Luftblase
air bubble
A bubble filled with air or another gas in a liquid or solid material.
EXAMPLE
Beim Trocknen bildete sich eine Luftblase unter der Folie.
An air bubble formed under the film as it dried.
die Luftblase
air bubble / bubble
die Luftblase, die Luftblasen
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
die Luftblase
pipe dream
A project, hope, or idea without a realistic basis; something that is likely to fail soon or prove worthless.
EXAMPLE
Der angebliche Geschäftsplan erwies sich als reine Luftblase.
The alleged business plan turned out to be nothing but a pipe dream.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Luftblase, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Luftblasen |
| genitive | der Luftblase |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Luftblase | die Luftblasen |
| accusative | die Luftblase | die Luftblasen |
| dative | der Luftblase | den Luftblasen |
| genitive | der Luftblase | der Luftblasen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Luftblase' (air bubble) is made up of 'Luft' (air) and 'Blase' (bubble). The word initially describes a bubble that contains air; this also gives rise to its figurative meaning.
EXAMPLE
Eine große Luftblase blieb unter dem Aufkleber zurück.
A large air bubble remained under the sticker.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'Luftblase' (air bubble) frequently occurs with verbs such as 'sich bilden' (to form), 'aufsteigen' (to rise), 'platzen' (to burst), or 'einschließen' (to trap). The location of the air bubble is also often specified, for example under a film or in a liquid.
EXAMPLE
Beim Aufsteigen platzte die Luftblase an der Oberfläche.
As it rose, the air bubble burst at the surface.
Figurative use
In its figurative meaning, 'Luftblase' (pipe dream) is often used judgmentally. Typical phrases include 'eine reine Luftblase' (nothing but a pipe dream) and 'sich als Luftblase erweisen' (to turn out to be a pipe dream); the verb 'platzen' (to burst) can also be used figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Nach wenigen Monaten platzte die Luftblase, und das Unternehmen musste schließen.
After a few months, the bubble burst, and the company had to close.
In real life
Loading video examples...