die Puppe
doll
A toy figure that represents a human being, often a baby or child, or a human-like figure.
EXAMPLE
Zum Geburtstag wünscht sich das Kind eine sprechende Puppe.
For their birthday, the child wants a talking doll.
die Puppe
doll / mannequin / pupa
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Meanings
die Puppe
mannequin
A human-like figure used to display clothing, for example in a shop window.
EXAMPLE
Die Puppe im Schaufenster trägt die neueste Herbstmode.
The mannequin in the shop window is wearing the latest fall fashion.
die Puppe
pupa
The developmental stage of an insect between the larva and the adult animal, during which metamorphosis takes place.
EXAMPLE
Aus der Puppe des Schmetterlings schlüpft nach einiger Zeit der fertige Falter.
After some time, the fully developed moth emerges from the butterfly's pupa.
die Puppe
doll
A colloquial, often affectionate term for a little girl or a young woman.
EXAMPLE
Komm mal her, meine kleine Puppe, die Oma hat was für dich.
Come here, my little doll, Grandma has something for you.
Usage tips
Fixed expression
The idiom 'die Puppen tanzen lassen' literally means 'to let the dolls dance' and means to celebrate exuberantly, throw a big party, or cause a lot of excitement.
EXAMPLE
Auf seiner Geburtstagsfeier haben wir so richtig die Puppen tanzen lassen.
At his birthday party, we really let loose.
Typical collocations
When referring to the toy, typical verbs and nouns are 'mit Puppen spielen' (to play with dolls), 'eine Puppe anziehen' (to dress a doll), 'Puppenhaus' (dollhouse), or 'Puppenwagen' (doll stroller/pram).
EXAMPLE
Als Kind habe ich stundenlang mit meinen Puppen gespielt.
As a child, I played with my dolls for hours.
Context clue: fashion
When 'Puppe' (doll/mannequin) is used in the context of clothing, fashion, a store, or a 'Schaufenster' (shop window), it means a mannequin.
EXAMPLE
Der Mantel sieht an der Puppe im Schaufenster toll aus.
The coat looks great on the mannequin in the shop window.
Context clue: biology
The biological meaning can be recognized from words like 'Insekt' (insect), 'Schmetterling' (butterfly), 'Larve' (larva), or the verb 'sich verpuppen' (to pupate). In this context, it is a technical term.
EXAMPLE
Die Raupe hat sich in eine Puppe verwandelt.
The caterpillar has transformed into a pupa.
Register: colloquial
As a form of address or term for a girl or woman, 'Puppe' (doll) is colloquial and usually meant affectionately or familiarly. It is often used with a possessive pronoun like 'meine' (my).
EXAMPLE
Hallo meine Puppe, wie war dein Tag in der Schule?
Hello, my doll, how was your day at school?
In real life
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