das Pflaster
adhesive bandage
A small, self-adhesive bandage that is stuck onto a small wound or injury to protect it.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sturz hat sie sich ein Pflaster auf das Knie geklebt.
After the fall, she put an adhesive bandage on her knee.
das Pflaster
bandage / pavement / patch
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Meanings
das Pflaster
pavement / cobblestones
The surface of streets, paths, or squares that consists of individual stones (paving stones).
EXAMPLE
Die Altstadt ist bekannt für ihr historisches Pflaster.
The old town is known for its historic cobblestone pavement.
das Pflaster
place / environment
In a figurative sense, a place or environment, often with a particular characteristic. Common in expressions like "ein teures/hartes Pflaster sein" (to be an expensive/tough place).
EXAMPLE
München ist ein teures Pflaster zum Wohnen.
Munich is an expensive place to live.
das Pflaster
medical patch
A medical adhesive patch that is applied to the skin to release an active substance into the body over a longer period of time.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt hat ihm ein Schmerzpflaster gegen die Rückenschmerzen verschrieben.
The doctor prescribed him a pain patch for his back pain.
Usage tips
False friend
'Das Pflaster' for a wound is not the same as the English 'plaster' for walls. The material for walls is called 'der Gips' (plaster) or 'der Putz' (render/plaster) in German.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mich geschnitten, hast du ein Pflaster für mich?
I cut myself; do you have an adhesive bandage for me?
Context clues
You can easily recognize the meaning from context. If someone is talking about a 'Wunde' (wound) or 'Verletzung' (injury), it means the small bandage. If it is about a 'Straße' (street), a 'Gasse' (alley), or the 'Altstadt' (old town), it means the stone surface.
EXAMPLE
Die kleine Wunde am Finger blutet, kleb bitte ein Pflaster darauf.
The small wound on my finger is bleeding; please put an adhesive bandage on it.
Correct preposition
When you stick a 'Pflaster' (adhesive bandage) onto a wound, you use the preposition 'auf' with the accusative. When the bandage is already on the skin, you use 'auf' with the dative.
EXAMPLE
Die Mutter klebt ihrem Kind ein Pflaster auf das Knie.
The mother puts an adhesive bandage on her child's knee.
Fixed expression
The expression 'ein teures/hartes/gutes Pflaster sein' describes the living conditions in a place. It is often used to talk about the costs or difficulties in a city.
EXAMPLE
Berlin ist für Künstler kein einfaches Pflaster mehr.
Berlin is no longer an easy place for artists.
Context: medicine
When a 'Pflaster' (patch) releases an active substance, it is often described more precisely, e.g. as a 'Schmerzpflaster' (pain patch) or 'Nikotinpflaster' (nicotine patch). The context here is always medical and refers to longer-term treatment.
EXAMPLE
Um mit dem Rauchen aufzuhören, benutzt er ein Nikotinpflaster.
To stop smoking, he uses a nicotine patch.
Compare with
Pflaster vs Verband
association / bandage
Verband and Pflaster can both protect a wound. A Pflaster is self-adhesive and is usually suitable for minor injuries, while a Verband can consist of material that is applied around the wound and can also cover larger areas or areas needing more protection. A small cut often only needs a Pflaster; otherwise, a Verband is usually more appropriate.
Pflaster
Für den kleinen Schnitt am Finger klebte sie ein Pflaster auf.
She put an adhesive bandage on the small cut on her finger.
Verband
Die Ärztin legte um die größere Wunde am Arm einen Verband an.
The doctor put a bandage around the larger wound on his arm.
In real life
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