plastic bag
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plastic bag
A bag made of plastic, mainly used to carry shopping.
Viele Supermärkte verlangen inzwischen Geld für eine Plastiktüte, um die Umwelt zu schonen.
Many supermarkets now charge money for a plastic bag in order to protect the environment.
The word is a simple compound of 'Plastik' (plastic) and 'Tüte' (bag). A 'Tüte' is a general term for a bag, often made of paper or plastic.
Für den kleinen Einkauf reicht mir eine Papiertüte, ich brauche keine Plastiktüte.
For the small shopping trip, a paper bag is enough for me; I don't need a plastic bag.
In Austria, the term 'Plastiksackerl' is also very common for a plastic bag. The base word 'Sackerl' means 'small sack' or 'bag'.
„Brauchen Sie ein Sackerl?“, fragte die Kassiererin in Wien.
'Do you need a bag?' asked the cashier in Vienna.
In everyday life, the plastic bag is often associated with shopping. Typical phrases are 'eine Tüte brauchen' (to need a bag), 'etwas in die Tüte packen' (to put something in the bag), or 'eine Tüte an der Kasse kaufen' (to buy a bag at the checkout).
Kannst du bitte die Äpfel in eine extra Plastiktüte packen?
Can you please put the apples in an extra plastic bag?
bag / pouch
'der Beutel' and 'die Plastiktüte' can both be small containers in which you carry or store things. 'Beutel' is more general: it can be made of fabric, plastic, or leather and is not used only for shopping. 'Plastiktüte' is more specific and means a bag made of plastic, usually for shopping. Learners may confuse the words because a plastic bag can also be a kind of 'Beutel'. When the plastic material is important or the context is shopping, 'Plastiktüte' is more natural. Otherwise, 'Beutel' is often broader and more general.
An der Kasse fragt der Verkäufer, ob ich eine Plastiktüte brauche.
At the checkout, the cashier asks whether I need a plastic bag.
Lisa legt ihre Sportsachen in einen kleinen Beutel.
Lisa puts her sports gear into a small bag.