der Sack
sack
A large bag made of sturdy material such as cloth, jute, or plastic, used for transporting or storing things.
EXAMPLE
Die Kartoffeln werden in großen Säcken geliefert.
The potatoes are delivered in large sacks.
der Sack
sack / scrotum
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Meanings
jemandem auf den Sack gehen
to piss someone off
A very colloquial and vulgar expression meaning to annoy or bother someone extremely.
EXAMPLE
Deine laute Musik geht mir tierisch auf den Sack!
Your loud music is really pissing me off!
den Sack zumachen
to seal the deal
A colloquial expression meaning to successfully finish something, seal a deal, or secure a victory.
EXAMPLE
Mit diesem Tor hat die Mannschaft den Sack zugemacht.
With this goal, the team sealed the deal.
der Sack
old bastard
A colloquial, often derogatory term for a person, usually male, whom one sees as unpleasant or old.
EXAMPLE
Was will dieser alte Sack denn hier?
What does this old bastard want here?
die Katze im Sack kaufen
to buy a pig in a poke
An idiom meaning to buy something without checking it beforehand, possibly taking a risk in the process.
EXAMPLE
Prüfe das Gebrauchtauto genau, damit du nicht die Katze im Sack kaufst.
Check the used car carefully so that you don't buy a pig in a poke.
der Sack
scrotum
A crude, colloquial term for the scrotum.
EXAMPLE
Er hat beim Fußball einen Ball in den Sack bekommen.
He got hit in the sack with a ball while playing soccer.
Usage tips
Careful: vulgar meanings
In addition to the neutral meaning 'Beutel' (bag), the word 'Sack' (sack) also has several very colloquial to vulgar meanings. Use it very carefully in formal situations to avoid misunderstandings.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte den Sack mit dem Altpapier in den Keller bringen?
Could you please take the sack with the waste paper down to the basement?
Fixed expression with dative
The idiom 'jemandem auf den Sack gehen' (to piss someone off) is very colloquial and means 'jemanden extrem nerven' (to annoy someone extremely). The person who is annoyed is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Seine ständige Besserwisserei geht mir gewaltig auf den Sack.
His constant know-it-all behavior really pisses me off.
Fixed idiom
The expression 'die Katze im Sack kaufen' (to buy a pig in a poke) is a fixed idiom. It means to acquire something without checking it and thereby take an unpredictable risk.
EXAMPLE
Informiere dich gut über das Unternehmen, bevor du investierst, damit du nicht die Katze im Sack kaufst.
Get good information about the company before you invest so that you don't buy a pig in a poke.
Separable verb
In the expression 'den Sack zumachen' (to seal the deal), 'zumachen' (to close) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'zu' goes at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Mit diesem wichtigen Vertrag machte die Firma den Sack für dieses Quartal zu.
With this important contract, the company sealed the deal for this quarter.
Typical collocations
In its neutral meaning, 'Sack' (sack) is often combined with materials or contents. Typical compounds are 'Müllsack' (garbage bag), 'Kartoffelsack' (potato sack), or 'Schlafsack' (sleeping bag).
EXAMPLE
Für die Campingtour brauchen wir noch einen warmen Schlafsack.
We still need a warm sleeping bag for the camping trip.
Derogatory term
As a term for a person, e.g. 'alter Sack' (old bastard), the word is strongly derogatory and insulting. It should only be used in very informal contexts and with great caution.
EXAMPLE
Er ärgerte sich über den Fahrer vor ihm und murmelte: „Fahr doch, du alter Sack!"
He got annoyed at the driver in front of him and muttered, 'Move, you old bastard!'
Compare with
Sack vs Beutel
bag / pouch
Sack and Beutel are flexible containers used for carrying or storing things. A Sack is usually large and made of sturdy material, while a Beutel is generally smaller and is also used for smaller quantities or objects. The size and contents help determine which one to choose.
Sack
Der Händler trägt einen großen Sack Kartoffeln ins Lager.
The merchant carries a large sack of potatoes into the warehouse.
Beutel
Der Händler trägt einen kleinen Beutel Schrauben ins Lager.
The merchant carries a small bag of screws into the warehouse.
In real life
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