der Mülleimer
trash can
A container into which you throw waste that accumulates at home or in the office.
EXAMPLE
Wirf den leeren Joghurtbecher bitte in den Mülleimer.
Please throw the empty yogurt cup into the trash can.
der Mülleimer
trash can / recycle bin
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Meanings
der Mülleimer
recycle bin
A virtual folder on a computer where deleted files are temporarily stored before they are permanently removed. It is also called 'Papierkorb' (recycle bin).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe die Datei aus Versehen gelöscht, aber sie war zum Glück noch im Mülleimer.
I accidentally deleted the file, but luckily it was still in the recycle bin.
Usage tips
Word composition
'Der Mülleimer' (trash can) is a compound noun made up of 'der Müll' (trash/waste) and 'der Eimer' (bucket/container). Literally, then, it is a 'waste bucket'.
EXAMPLE
Der Mülleimer in der Küche ist schon wieder voll.
The trash can in the kitchen is full again already.
Correct preposition
Pay attention to the case after the preposition 'in'. Movement is expressed with the accusative ('in den Mülleimer werfen' — to throw into the trash can), while a state or position requires the dative ('im Mülleimer sein' — to be in the trash can).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe den Zettel aus Versehen in den Mülleimer geworfen.
I accidentally threw the note into the trash can.
Regional variants
In Austria, the word 'der Mistkübel' (trash can) is also very common for 'Mülleimer' (trash can). In Switzerland, you often hear 'der Abfalleimer' (trash can).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du das bitte in den Mistkübel werfen?
Can you please throw that into the trash can?
Context clue
When the topic is computers, you can recognize this meaning from words like 'Datei' (file), 'Ordner' (folder), 'löschen' (to delete), 'verschieben' (to move), or 'wiederherstellen' (to restore). The virtual trash can is also often called 'Papierkorb' (recycle bin).
EXAMPLE
Um die Datei endgültig zu löschen, musst du den Mülleimer leeren.
To delete the file permanently, you have to empty the recycle bin.
Compare with
Mülleimer vs Tonne
bin / ton
Both words refer to containers for waste. “Der Mülleimer” is typically found in a home or office and holds the waste produced there, while “die Tonne” is usually larger, kept outdoors, and emptied regularly. For the wastepaper basket in a room, “Mülleimer” is therefore more appropriate; for the waste outside the house, “Tonne” is the better choice.
Mülleimer
Im Büro warf sie den benutzten Zettel in den Mülleimer.
In the office, she threw the used piece of paper into the trash can.
Tonne
Vor dem Haus steht eine volle Tonne, die morgen geleert wird.
There is a full bin in front of the house that will be emptied tomorrow.
In real life
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