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
der Rüssel
proboscis
The piercing or sucking, often elongated mouthpart of many insects such as mosquitoes, bees, or butterflies.
EXAMPLE
Der Schmetterling saugte mit seinem langen Rüssel den Nektar aus der Blüte.
The butterfly sucked the nectar from the flower with its long proboscis.
der Rüssel
nose
Colloquial and often derogatory for the human nose, especially when it is large.
EXAMPLE
Nimm deinen neugierigen Rüssel aus meinen Angelegenheiten!
Keep your nosy nose out of my business!
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
Nase is the neutral standard term for the organ in the face. Rüssel can refer humorously or derogatorily to a particularly large human nose and characterizes the person more strongly. Nase is suitable in a factual description; Rüssel can be used as a crude joke.
Rüssel
Sein Freund machte sich wegen seines großen Rüssels über ihn lustig.
His friend made fun of him because of his big nose.
Nase
Seine große Nase fällt in dem Familienfoto sofort auf.
His large nose immediately stands out in the family photo.
In real life
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