der Ohrstöpsel
earplug
A small object inserted into the ear canal to muffle noise or protect the ear from water.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Konzert setzte ich einen Ohrstöpsel in jedes Ohr.
Before the concert, I put an earplug in each ear.
der Ohrstöpsel
earplug / earbud
der Ohrstöpsel, die Ohrstöpsel
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Meanings
der Ohrstöpsel
earbud
A small earphone worn directly in the ear.
EXAMPLE
Der Ohrstöpsel fiel mir beim Joggen aus dem Ohr.
My earbud fell out of my ear while I was jogging.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Ohrstöpsel, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Ohrstöpsel |
| genitive | des Ohrstöpsels |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Ohrstöpsel | die Ohrstöpsel |
| accusative | den Ohrstöpsel | die Ohrstöpsel |
| dative | dem Ohrstöpsel | den Ohrstöpseln |
| genitive | des Ohrstöpsels | der Ohrstöpsel |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Ohrstöpsel' (earplug / earbud) is made up of 'Ohr' (ear) and 'Stöpsel' (plug). So, literally, an 'Ohrstöpsel' is a plug for the ear.
EXAMPLE
Für die lange Zugfahrt kaufte ich mir Ohrstöpsel.
I bought some earplugs for the long train journey.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of something used to muffle noise or protect against water, 'Ohrstöpsel' (earplug) is often used with verbs such as 'einsetzen' (to insert), 'tragen' (to wear), and 'herausnehmen' (to remove). Combinations with 'gegen Lärm' (against noise) and 'beim Schwimmen' (while swimming) are also typical.
EXAMPLE
Beim Schwimmen trug sie Ohrstöpsel, um ihre Ohren vor Wasser zu schützen.
She wore earplugs while swimming to protect her ears from the water.
Context clue
When it means a small earphone, words from the areas of music or technology indicate the intended meaning, such as 'Musik' (music), 'Bluetooth', 'laden' (to charge), or 'verbinden' (to connect). Situations such as jogging or making phone calls can also point to this meaning.
EXAMPLE
Mein kabelloser Ohrstöpsel musste vor dem Telefonat noch geladen werden.
My wireless earbud still had to be charged before the phone call.
In real life
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