01
der Matsch
mud
A soft, wet, and dirty mass, usually consisting of soil, snow, or other decomposed substances and water.
example
Nach dem starken Regen waren die Wege voller Matsch.
After the heavy rain, the paths were full of mud.
der Matsch
mud
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Colloquial word
'Matsch' (mud) is a very common word in colloquial language. It describes wet dirt in a vivid and often slightly negative way.
EXAMPLE
Zieh deine Gummistiefel an, draußen ist überall Matsch.
Put on your rubber boots; there's mud everywhere outside.
Typical collocations
Common expressions with 'Matsch' (mud) describe actions. These include: 'im Matsch spielen' (to play in the mud), often used with children, 'durch den Matsch laufen' (to walk through the mud), or 'voller Matsch sein' (to be covered in mud).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Spaziergang im Wald waren unsere Schuhe voller Matsch.
After the walk in the forest, our shoes were covered in mud.
Compound words
'Matsch' (mud) is often used as the base word in compounds to describe a wet, mushy mass. A very common example is 'der Schneematsch' (slush) in winter.
EXAMPLE
Im März liegt oft noch grauer Schneematsch auf den Straßen.
In March, there is often still gray slush on the roads.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'im Matsch stecken' (to be stuck in the mud) or 'im Matsch sitzen' (to be sitting in the mud) means that someone is in a very difficult, often financial, situation and cannot make progress. Here the word is used metaphorically.
EXAMPLE
Seit er seinen Job verloren hat, steckt er finanziell tief im Matsch.
Since he lost his job, he has been stuck deep in the mud financially.
Compare with
Matsch vs Dreck
dirt / crap
'der Dreck' and 'der Matsch' can both mean something dirty. 'Dreck' is more general: it can be dust, dirt, trash, or also muddy soil. The word is colloquial and often sounds somewhat negative. 'Matsch' more specifically means a soft, wet mass, usually made of soil, snow, or water and dirt. The words can be confused when shoes or clothing are dirty. If it is mainly wet and soft, 'Matsch' fits better. If you are talking about dirt in general, 'Dreck' is more natural.
Matsch
Die Kinder sprangen durch den Matsch und lachten laut.
The children jumped through the mud and laughed loudly.
Dreck
Nach dem Fußballspiel war überall Dreck auf dem Flur.
After the soccer game, there was dirt all over the hallway.
In real life
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