die Patrone
cartridge
A small container with ink for a fountain pen or a printer.
EXAMPLE
Der Drucker funktioniert nicht, weil die schwarze Patrone leer ist.
The printer isn't working because the black cartridge is empty.
die Patrone
cartridge
die Patrone, die Patronen
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Meanings
die Patrone
cartridge
A casing that contains a propellant charge and a projectile (bullet) for a firearm; ammunition.
EXAMPLE
Am Tatort fand die Polizei eine leere Patrone.
At the crime scene, the police found an empty cartridge.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Patrone, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Patronen |
| genitive | der Patrone |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Patrone | die Patronen |
| accusative | die Patrone | die Patronen |
| dative | der Patrone | den Patronen |
| genitive | der Patrone | der Patronen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
To know which kind of 'Patrone' (cartridge) is meant, context is crucial. Words like 'Drucker' (printer), 'Füller' (fountain pen), or 'Tinte' (ink) point to a container for liquid. Words like 'Waffe' (weapon), 'Gewehr' (rifle), or 'Polizei' (police) refer to ammunition.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss eine neue Farbpatrone für den Drucker kaufen.
I need to buy a new color cartridge for the printer.
Typical collocations
In connection with printers or fountain pens, a 'Patrone' (cartridge) is typically 'gewechselt' (changed), 'eingesetzt' (inserted), or 'ausgetauscht' (replaced). People also often speak of an 'leere' (empty) or 'volle' (full) cartridge.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir zeigen, wie man die Druckerpatrone wechselt?
Can you show me how to change the printer cartridge?
Typical collocations
When it comes to ammunition, a 'Patrone' (cartridge) is 'geladen' (loaded) into a weapon. You can also find 'leere Patronen' (empty cartridges), which are then called 'Patronenhülsen' (cartridge cases).
EXAMPLE
Die Soldaten hatten nur noch wenige Patronen übrig.
The soldiers had only a few cartridges left.
In real life
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