01
der Schopf
shock of hair
A thick tuft of hair on a person's head, often somewhat messy.
example
Der Wind zerzauste seinen blonden Schopf.
The wind tousled his blond shock of hair.
der Schopf
tuft / crest
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Fixed expression
The most common use of 'Schopf' is in the fixed idiom 'die Gelegenheit beim Schopf packen' (to seize the opportunity). It means to make use of a good chance immediately and decisively.
EXAMPLE
Als das Jobangebot kam, habe ich die Gelegenheit sofort beim Schopf gepackt.
When the job offer came, I immediately seized the opportunity.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from context. If people are being talked about, a tuft or shock of hair is meant. In connection with birds, feathers are meant. The idiom 'beim Schopf packen' always refers to an opportunity.
EXAMPLE
Er strich sich durch den dichten Schopf.
He ran his hand through his thick shock of hair.
Register and style
When 'Schopf' is used for human hair, it often sounds somewhat poetic or slightly old-fashioned. It usually describes full, thick, and often somewhat messy hair.
EXAMPLE
Das kleine Kind hatte einen wilden Schopf aus roten Locken.
The little child had a wild shock of red curls.
Compare with
Schopf vs Haar
hair
'das Haar' and 'der Schopf' can both refer to hair on the head. 'Haar' is the general and neutral word for all of someone’s hair. 'Schopf' more often means a thick tuft or shock of hair on the head, often somewhat messy. The word sounds more concrete and sometimes slightly colloquial. Learners may confuse the words because both describe head hair. If you are speaking neutrally about care, color, or length, use 'Haar'. If you mean a noticeable, thick, or tousled tuft of hair, 'Schopf' fits better.
Schopf
Nach dem Schlafen stand ihm der Schopf in alle Richtungen.
After sleeping, his hair was sticking out in all directions.
Haar
Die Eltern haben ihrem Kind heute das Haar schneiden lassen.
The parents had their child's hair cut today.
In real life
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