der Schlumpf
Smurf
A small blue fantasy character from the comic and cartoon world of the same name.
EXAMPLE
Der Schlumpf trägt eine weiße Mütze.
The Smurf is wearing a white hat.
der Schlumpf
Smurf / fool
der Schlumpf, die Schlümpfe
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Meanings
der Schlumpf
fool
An informal, mocking term for someone you do not take seriously or whose behavior you find mildly annoying in a good-natured way.
EXAMPLE
Von so einem Schlumpf lasse ich mir doch nichts sagen!
I'm not taking orders from a fool like that!
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Schlumpf, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Schlümpfe |
| genitive | des Schlumpfes |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Schlumpf | die Schlümpfe |
| accusative | den Schlumpf | die Schlümpfe |
| dative | dem Schlumpf | den Schlümpfen |
| genitive | des Schlumpfes des Schlumpfs | der Schlümpfe |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
If the context involves comics, cartoons, blue characters, or white hats, the fantasy character is meant. However, when 'Schlumpf' (fool) is used to address someone or follows criticism of someone's behavior, it usually refers to a person in a mocking or gently scolding way.
EXAMPLE
In der Folge suchen die Schlümpfe nach einem verlorenen Schatz.
In this episode, the Smurfs search for a lost treasure.
Du Schlumpf, jetzt hast du schon wieder den Schlüssel vergessen.
You fool, you've forgotten the key again.
Cultural context
'Der Schlumpf' (Smurf) can refer to a character from the well-known comic and cartoon world. In this context, the word belongs to a particular fictional universe and is often associated with the whole group of Smurfs.
EXAMPLE
Meine Nichte hat ein Bild von einem Schlumpf an die Wand gemalt.
My niece painted a picture of a Smurf on the wall.
Informal usage
In this sense, 'Schlumpf' (fool) is informal and, depending on the tone, can be meant jokingly or as a mild insult. It often appears in expressions such as 'ein richtiger Schlumpf' (a real fool) or is used to address someone directly.
EXAMPLE
Er ist doch ein richtiger Schlumpf, den nimmt hier keiner ernst.
He's a real fool; nobody here takes him seriously.
In real life
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