der Rotz
snot
A colloquial and often derogatory term for the secretion that comes from the nose, especially when someone has a cold.
EXAMPLE
Der Junge wischte sich den Rotz mit dem Ärmel ab.
The boy wiped the snot off with his sleeve.
der Rotz
snot / crap / glanders
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Meanings
der Rotz
crap / nonsense
Colloquial for something considered nonsense, worthless, or of poor quality.
EXAMPLE
Glaub doch nicht so einen Rotz, den er dir da erzählt!
Don't believe that crap he's telling you!
der Rotz
glanders
A serious, contagious infectious disease that mainly affects horses and other equids and can also be transmitted to humans.
EXAMPLE
Der Tierarzt musste das Pferd wegen Rotz einschläfern.
The vet had to put the horse down because of glanders.
Usage tips
Register and style
The word 'Rotz' (snot/crap) is very colloquial in the meanings for nasal mucus and nonsense and can sound crude or derogatory. Only in the medical context of the animal disease is it a neutral technical term.
EXAMPLE
Sag so was nicht, das ist doch der reinste Rotz!
Don't say something like that; that's total crap!
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning from the context: if it is about a cold and the nose, nasal mucus is meant. If it is about an opinion or a story, 'Unsinn' (nonsense) is meant. If a vet is talking about a horse, the disease is meant.
EXAMPLE
Er ist stark erkältet und seine Nase ist voller Rotz.
He has a bad cold and his nose is full of snot.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'Rotz und Wasser heulen' means to cry very hard and intensely. In this expression, the word is very common.
EXAMPLE
Nach der traurigen Nachricht hat sie Rotz und Wasser geheult.
After the sad news, she cried her eyes out.
Compare with
Rotz vs Mist
crap / manure
Mist and Rotz can both refer to something worthless or very bad. Mist is a broad colloquial derogatory judgment, while Rotz usually sounds more contemptuous. Mist works for general annoyance; Rotz can be appropriate when there is clear contempt.
Rotz
Diese ständig abstürzende App ist doch der letzte Rotz.
This constantly crashing app is absolute crap.
Mist
Diese schlecht gemachte App ist wirklich Mist.
This poorly made app is really crap.
In real life
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