01
der Pott
pot
A colloquial term for a large pot, usually used for cooking.
example
Für die Gulaschsuppe brauchen wir den ganz großen Pott.
For the goulash soup, we need the really big pot.
der Pott
pot
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Meanings
01 / 04
Usage tips
Register: colloquial
The word 'Pott' is used almost exclusively in colloquial language in all of its meanings. In formal or written contexts, you would instead say 'Topf' (pot), 'Tasse' (cup), 'Ruhrgebiet' (Ruhr region), or 'Jackpot' (jackpot).
EXAMPLE
Stell den Pott mit der Suppe auf den Herd!
Put the pot with the soup on the stove!
False friend
Although 'der Pott' looks like the English word 'pot' and shares some meanings with it (cooking pot, gambling winnings), it does not have the very common English meaning of 'marijuana'. This mix-up can lead to major misunderstandings.
EXAMPLE
Beim Pokern hat sie den ganzen Pott gewonnen.
In poker, she won the whole pot.
Context clue
The meaning of 'Pott' can only be understood from context. If it is about cooking, it means a pot. If it is about geography, it means the Ruhr region. If it is about drinks, it means a cup or mug. If it is about games or gambling, it means the winnings.
EXAMPLE
Meine Oma kommt aus dem Pott und ist Fan von Schalke 04.
My grandma comes from the Ruhr and is a fan of Schalke 04.
Regional meaning
As a name for the Ruhr region, 'der Pott' is a fixed and often affectionately used term. Typical expressions are 'aus dem Pott kommen' (to come from the Ruhr) or 'im Pott leben' (to live in the Ruhr).
EXAMPLE
Viele Menschen, die im Pott leben, sind sehr mit ihrer Region verbunden.
Many people who live in the Ruhr feel very connected to their region.
Compare with
Pott vs Einsatz
operation / effort / use
'der Einsatz' and 'der Pott' can both have to do with money in gambling. But they do not mean the same thing. 'Der Einsatz' is the amount that one person personally risks or puts into the game. 'Der Pott' is the total sum of money that everyone is playing for and that someone can win at the end. The words can easily be confused because the stake goes into the pot. Remember: the stake first belongs to an individual person; the pot belongs to the whole round of players.
Pott
Nach mehreren Runden lag schon viel Geld im Pott.
After several rounds, there was already a lot of money in the pot.
Einsatz
Beim Poker hat Tom seinen Einsatz vorsichtig erhöht.
In poker, Tom carefully increased his stake.
In real life
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