der Piccolo
small bottle
A small bottle of sparkling wine or champagne, usually containing 0.2 liters.
EXAMPLE
Zum Geburtstag haben wir mit einem Piccolo angestoßen.
For the birthday, we toasted with a small bottle of sparkling wine.
der Piccolo
piccolo / small bottle / bellhop
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Meanings
der Piccolo
piccolo
A small transverse flute (piccolo flute) that sounds one octave higher than the normal transverse flute and is used in an orchestra for very high, bright tones.
EXAMPLE
Die schrillen, durchdringenden Töne des Piccolos waren im ganzen Konzertsaal zu hören.
The shrill, piercing tones of the piccolo could be heard throughout the concert hall.
der Piccolo
bellhop
A somewhat outdated term for a hotel bellhop or a young waiter’s apprentice responsible for small errands and services.
EXAMPLE
Der Piccolo in seiner Uniform brachte uns das Gepäck aufs Zimmer.
The bellhop in his uniform brought our luggage up to the room.
Usage tips
Origin of the word
'Piccolo' comes from Italian and means 'small'. This meaning connects all uses of the word: the small bottle of sparkling wine, the small flute, and the 'small' hotel servant or apprentice.
EXAMPLE
Der Name „Piccolo“ deutet immer auf eine kleinere Variante von etwas hin.
The name 'Piccolo' always points to a smaller version of something.
Context clue
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'Piccolo' from the context. If it is about drinks and celebrations, the bottle is meant. In the context of music and orchestra, it is the flute. In old films or books about hotels, it can be the bellhop.
EXAMPLE
Bestellen wir noch einen Piccolo zum Anstoßen?
Shall we order another small bottle for the toast?
Typical collocations
When the small sparkling-wine bottle is meant, 'Piccolo' is often combined with verbs such as 'bestellen' (to order), 'trinken' (to drink), or '(mit einem Piccolo) anstoßen' (to toast with a small bottle).
EXAMPLE
Für eine Person allein reicht ein Piccolo völlig aus.
For one person alone, a small bottle is completely enough.
Register: outdated
The term 'Piccolo' for a hotel bellhop or waiter’s apprentice is very outdated today. You mainly find it in historical contexts, for example in old films or novels.
EXAMPLE
In dem Schwarz-Weiß-Film trug der Piccolo eine schicke Uniform.
In the black-and-white film, the bellhop wore a smart uniform.
Compare with
Piccolo vs Page
bellhop / page
Page and Piccolo can both refer to a young hotel employee who helps guests with luggage and small services. Page is the usual term today, while Piccolo sounds somewhat outdated in this meaning. In modern hotels, Page is therefore usually the better choice.
Piccolo
Früher brachte der Piccolo dem neu angekommenen Gast seinen Koffer aufs Zimmer.
In the past, the bellhop took the newly arrived guest’s suitcase to his room.
Page
Der Page bringt dem neu angekommenen Gast seinen Koffer aufs Zimmer.
The bellhop takes the newly arrived guest’s suitcase to his room.
In real life
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