die Ritze
crack / gap
A narrow gap or narrow opening in a surface or between two things.
EXAMPLE
Durch eine Ritze im Fensterrahmen dringt kalte Luft ins Zimmer.
Cold air is coming into the room through a crack in the window frame.
die Ritze
crack / slit
die Ritze, die Ritzen
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Meanings
die Ritze
slit
A vulgar term for the external female genitalia.
EXAMPLE
Er benutzte das vulgäre Wort „Ritze“ für ihre Vulva.
He used the vulgar word „Ritze“ (slit) for her vulva.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Ritze, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Ritzen |
| genitive | der Ritze |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Ritze | die Ritzen |
| accusative | die Ritze | die Ritzen |
| dative | der Ritze | den Ritzen |
| genitive | der Ritze | der Ritzen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
The words around it help determine the specific meaning: references to windows, wood, walls, light, or air indicate a narrow gap. In a sexual or crude conversation, however, „Ritze“ (slit) may have the vulgar meaning.
EXAMPLE
Durch die Ritze unter der Tür fällt ein schmaler Lichtstreifen.
A narrow strip of light shines through the gap under the door.
Der Ausdruck „Ritze“ wirkte in dem sexuellen Gespräch deutlich derb.
The expression „Ritze“ (slit) sounded distinctly crude in the sexual conversation.
Word family
„Ritze“ (slit) belongs to the word family of „ritzen“ (to scratch) and originally refers to a narrow mark or opening that can be created by a cut or similar action.
EXAMPLE
In der Ritze im Holz sammelte sich Staub.
Dust collected in the crack in the wood.
Der Handwerker entdeckte eine tiefe Ritze in der Oberfläche.
The handyman discovered a deep crack in the surface.
Typical collocations
For the meaning “narrow gap,” typical expressions include „eine kleine Ritze“ (a small crack), „durch eine Ritze“ (through a crack), and „eine Ritze im Fensterrahmen“ (a crack in the window frame).
EXAMPLE
Die Münze rollte in eine kleine Ritze zwischen den Dielen.
The coin rolled into a narrow gap between the floorboards.
Crude language
In its sexual meaning, „Ritze“ (slit) belongs to very crude colloquial language and can therefore sound obscene or offensive. This usage is inappropriate in neutral or formal situations.
EXAMPLE
Der Journalist kritisierte, dass der Text das Wort „Ritze“ in einer beleidigenden Weise verwendete.
The journalist criticized the text for using the word „Ritze“ (slit) in an offensive way.
In real life
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