shovel
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shovel
A tool with a broad blade and a handle for picking up and moving loose material such as sand, snow, or soil. Synonym for 'Schaufel' (shovel).
Mit der Schippe befreite er den Gehweg vom Schnee.
He cleared the sidewalk of snow with the shovel.
The word 'Schippe' (shovel) is often used in connection with gardening or winter services. A typical activity is 'Schnee schippen' (to shovel snow), where 'schippen' functions as a verb.
Im Winter müssen wir jeden Morgen den Gehweg schippen.
In winter, we have to shovel the sidewalk every morning.
The expression 'eine Schippe drauflegen' means to increase one's performance or pace. The expression is fixed and is often used in sports or at work.
Die Mannschaft muss in der zweiten Halbzeit noch eine Schippe drauflegen, wenn sie gewinnen will.
The team needs to step it up in the second half if they want to win.
You can always recognize the figurative meaning by the verb 'drauflegen' (to add on top). Without this verb, 'Schippe' (shovel) refers to the tool.
Der Chef meinte, wir müssten beim neuen Projekt eine Schippe drauflegen.
The boss said we needed to step it up on the new project.
shovel / blade / spade
'die Schaufel' and 'die Schippe' can refer to the same tool: a broad blade with a handle, used to pick up and move sand, soil, or snow. In many everyday situations, the two words are interchangeable. 'Schaufel' often sounds more neutral and general, while 'Schippe' is especially common in some regions or in casual everyday speech. Confusing them is hardly a problem when you are talking about the tool. The important thing is: in fixed expressions like 'eine Schippe drauflegen' (to step it up / add a bit more), you cannot simply use 'Schaufel' instead.
Die Eltern geben den Kindern eine Schippe, damit sie im Sandkasten bauen können.
The parents give the children a shovel so they can build in the sandbox.
Heute habe ich die Schaufel aus dem Keller geholt, um den Sand zu verteilen.
Today I got the shovel from the basement to spread the sand.