puddle
die Pfütze, die Pfützen
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puddle
A small, shallow accumulation of liquid, usually water, on the ground or another surface, typically formed after rain.
Die Kinder sprangen nach dem Gewitter vergnügt in die Pfützen.
After the thunderstorm, the children happily jumped in the puddles.
small amount
Colloquial for a very small amount of liquid, especially in a container.
In meiner Tasse ist nur noch eine kleine Pfütze Kaffee übrig.
There is only a small puddle of coffee left in my cup.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Pfützen |
| genitive | der Pfütze |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Pfütze | die Pfützen |
| accusative | die Pfütze | die Pfützen |
| dative | der Pfütze | den Pfützen |
| genitive | der Pfütze | der Pfützen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
You can recognize the meaning from the location. A 'Pfütze' on the street, path, or ground is a puddle of water after rain. A 'Pfütze' in a cup or glass is a colloquial term for a small remaining amount of liquid.
Vorsicht, tritt nicht in die große Pfütze auf dem Gehweg!
Careful, don't step in the big puddle on the sidewalk!
'Pfütze' is often associated with rain and children. Typical verbs are 'in eine Pfütze springen' (to jump into a puddle) or 'in eine Pfütze treten' (to step into a puddle).
Nach dem Regen lieben es die Kinder, in die Pfützen zu springen.
After the rain, children love jumping in the puddles.
Using 'Pfütze' for a small remaining amount of liquid in a container is colloquial. In a formal context, you would choose other formulations.
Mach mir bitte einen neuen Tee, hier ist nur noch eine Pfütze drin.
Please make me a new tea; there's only a puddle left in here.
rest / remainder
Rest is a neutral term for the amount of liquid left in a container. Pfütze can be used colloquially for the same situation, but presents the amount as very small and pitiful. “Rest” is appropriate without any evaluation; “Pfütze” fits when expressing disappointment at the small amount.
Im Glas war nur noch eine Pfütze Saft.
There was only a puddle of juice left in the glass.
Im Glas war noch ein Rest Saft.
There was still some juice left in the glass.
