01
der Rüssel
trunk
The long, muscular, and movable nose of certain mammals, especially elephants.
example
Der Elefant griff mit seinem Rüssel nach einem Ast.
The elephant reached for a branch with its trunk.
der Rüssel
trunk / proboscis
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'Rüssel' (trunk/proboscis) from the context. If people are talking about elephants or tapirs, it means the nose. With insects such as bees or butterflies, it is the mouthpart. In connection with people, it is a colloquial term for the nose.
EXAMPLE
Der Elefant spritzte die Kinder mit Wasser aus seinem Rüssel nass.
The elephant sprayed the children with water from its trunk.
Typical verbs
In connection with elephants, 'Rüssel' (trunk) is often used with verbs of movement and grasping. Typical actions are: picking something up with the trunk, spraying water, or reaching for something.
EXAMPLE
Ein Elefant kann mit seinem Rüssel sogar einen Baumstamm anheben.
An elephant can even lift a tree trunk with its trunk.
Colloquial usage
When 'Rüssel' (nose) is used for the human nose, it is always colloquial and often meant in a slightly derogatory or joking way. It is usually used for a large or nosy nose.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich bei dem Sturz den Rüssel gebrochen.
He broke his nose in the fall.
Fixed expression
The expression 'seinen Rüssel in fremde Angelegenheiten stecken' means that someone is overly curious and interferes in things that are none of their business.
EXAMPLE
Ich mag es nicht, wenn meine Nachbarin ständig ihren Rüssel in meine Angelegenheiten steckt.
I don't like it when my neighbor is constantly sticking her nose into my business.
Compare with
Rüssel vs Nase
nose
'die Nase' and 'der Rüssel' both belong to the area of smelling or breathing in living beings. 'die Nase' is the normal word for the organ in the face of humans and many animals. 'der Rüssel' means a special, long, movable nose, especially an elephant's trunk, or a long sucking or piercing mouthpart in insects. For humans, you normally do not say 'Rüssel', except colloquially and often derogatorily or jokingly. Learners may confuse the words because a 'Rüssel' can also be a kind of nose. But not every nose is a 'Rüssel'.
Rüssel
Der Elefant hebt mit seinem Rüssel einen Ast vom Boden auf.
The elephant picks up a branch from the ground with its trunk.
Nase
Nach dem Spaziergang in der Kälte war meine Nase ganz rot.
After the walk in the cold, my nose was bright red.
In real life
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