die Schnecke
snail
A slow, invertebrate animal that often carries a spiral-shaped shell on its back.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Regen krochen viele Schnecken über den Gehweg.
After the rain, many snails crawled across the sidewalk.
die Schnecke
snail
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Meanings
die Schnecke
roll / bun
A pastry made from a rolled-up strip of dough and often filled with cinnamon, nuts, or raisins.
EXAMPLE
Zum Frühstück habe ich mir beim Bäcker eine frische Zimtschnecke geholt.
For breakfast, I got myself a fresh cinnamon roll at the bakery.
die Schnecke
cochlea
The spiral-shaped part of the inner ear (cochlea) that is responsible for converting sound waves into nerve impulses.
EXAMPLE
Schäden an der Schnecke im Innenohr können zu Schwerhörigkeit führen.
Damage to the cochlea in the inner ear can lead to hearing loss.
die Schnecke
slowpoke
A colloquial, often derogatory term for a very slow person.
EXAMPLE
Beeil dich endlich, du Schnecke, wir kommen zu spät!
Hurry up already, you slowpoke, we're going to be late!
Usage tips
Context clues
The word 'Schnecke' (snail) has very different meanings. The context always makes clear what is meant: biology and garden (animal), bakery (pastry), medicine (inner ear), or a personal description (slow person).
EXAMPLE
Beim Bäcker nehme ich eine Nussschnecke.
At the bakery, I'll take a nut roll.
Fixed expression
The expression 'im Schneckentempo' (at a snail's pace) is often used to express that something or someone is moving extremely slowly. It comes directly from the slowness of the animal.
EXAMPLE
Der Verkehr bewegte sich nur im Schneckentempo vorwärts.
Traffic was moving forward only at a snail's pace.
Typical compounds
When 'Schnecke' (roll/bun) means a pastry, it is often part of a compound word that describes the filling. Typical examples are 'Zimtschnecke' (cinnamon roll), 'Nussschnecke' (nut roll), or 'Mohnschnecke' (poppy-seed roll).
EXAMPLE
Ich hätte gern eine Mohnschnecke und einen Kaffee.
I'd like a poppy-seed roll and a coffee.
Technical context
In medicine and biology, 'Schnecke' (cochlea) refers to a specific part of the inner ear. This meaning occurs almost only in specialist texts or at the doctor's.
EXAMPLE
Die Schnecke ist für das Hören von Geräuschen entscheidend.
The cochlea is crucial for hearing sounds.
Colloquial use
Calling someone a 'Schnecke' (slowpoke) is colloquial and often intended to be slightly derogatory. It expresses that the person is perceived as very slow.
EXAMPLE
Na los, du Schnecke, der Bus wartet nicht!
Come on, you slowpoke, the bus won't wait!
In real life
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