der Rotstift
red pen
A red pen used for correcting or marking.
EXAMPLE
Die Lehrerin nahm den Rotstift und korrigierte die Klassenarbeiten.
The teacher picked up the red pen and corrected the tests.
der Rotstift
red pen / budget cuts
der Rotstift, die Rotstifte
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Meanings
der Rotstift
budget cuts
A measure to reduce spending or eliminate jobs, especially in a company or a public budget.
EXAMPLE
Wegen der schlechten Finanzlage wurde in vielen Abteilungen der Rotstift angesetzt.
Due to the poor financial situation, budget cuts were made in many departments.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Rotstift, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Rotstifte |
| genitive | des Rotstifts |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Rotstift | die Rotstifte |
| accusative | den Rotstift | die Rotstifte |
| dative | dem Rotstift | den Rotstiften |
| genitive | des Rotstifts des Rotstiftes | der Rotstifte |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Rotstift' (red pen) consists of 'rot' (red) and 'Stift' (pen). The red color brings to mind corrections and things being crossed out; this also helps you remember its figurative use for budget cuts.
EXAMPLE
Die Fehler sind mit einem Rotstift markiert.
The mistakes are marked with a red pen.
Auch bei der Kultur setzt die Stadt den Rotstift an.
The city is also making budget cuts in the arts.
Typical collocations
When correcting work, typical collocations are 'mit dem Rotstift markieren' (to mark with a red pen), 'mit dem Rotstift unterstreichen' (to underline with a red pen), and 'mit dem Rotstift durchstreichen' (to cross out with a red pen). The pen as a tool is introduced using 'mit' (with) and the dative case.
EXAMPLE
Der Lehrer hat die falschen Antworten mit dem Rotstift durchgestrichen.
The teacher crossed out the wrong answers with a red pen.
To make budget cuts
The fixed expression is 'den Rotstift ansetzen' (to make budget cuts). You can use 'bei' (in the area of) with the dative case to specify where spending is being cut.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma setzt bei den Reisekosten den Rotstift an.
The company is making budget cuts to travel expenses.
To fall victim
In the expression 'dem Rotstift zum Opfer fallen' (to fall victim to budget cuts), the service or project being cut is the subject. 'Dem Rotstift' is always in the dative case in this expression; this figurative phrase often appears in reports about cost-cutting measures.
EXAMPLE
Mehrere geplante Jugendprojekte sind dem Rotstift zum Opfer gefallen.
Several planned youth projects have fallen victim to budget cuts.
In real life
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