01
der Schrott
scrap metal
Old, unusable objects made of metal that are collected for recycling as raw material.
example
Er hat sein altes, rostiges Fahrrad zum Schrott gebracht.
He took his old, rusty bicycle to the scrap yard.
der Schrott
scrap / junk
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Uncountable noun
'Schrott' (scrap/junk) is an uncountable noun, or mass noun, in all its meanings. It is therefore normally used without a plural article and only rarely with an indefinite article in the singular.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Hof lag überall alter Schrott herum.
There was old scrap lying around everywhere in the yard.
Register and style
The literal meaning 'Altmetall' (scrap metal) is neutral. The figurative meanings for worthless things or nonsense are strongly colloquial and should be avoided in formal situations.
EXAMPLE
Er nannte meine Lieblingsserie „Schrott“, was mich geärgert hat.
He called my favorite series 'Schrott' (junk), which annoyed me.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'Altmetall' (scrap metal), 'Schrott' is often connected with places or actions related to disposal. Typical phrases are 'etwas zum Schrott werfen' (to throw something out as scrap), 'auf dem Schrottplatz landen' (to end up in the scrap yard), or 'Schrott sammeln' (to collect scrap).
EXAMPLE
Die alten Heizkörper kommen auf den Schrott.
The old radiators are going to the scrap yard.
Use as a judgment
In the colloquial meaning for poor quality, 'Schrott' (junk) is often used as a strong negative judgment about an object. Typical expressions are 'Das ist doch Schrott!' (That's junk!) or 'totaler Schrott' (total junk).
EXAMPLE
Kauf das billige Werkzeug nicht, das ist absoluter Schrott.
Don't buy that cheap tool; it's absolute junk.
Colloquial for nonsense
When 'Schrott' refers to information, ideas, or talk, it means 'Unsinn' (nonsense). Typical verbs in this context are 'reden' (to talk) or 'erzählen' (to tell).
EXAMPLE
Er redet nur Schrott, seit er zurückgekommen ist.
He has been talking nothing but nonsense since he came back.
Compare with
Schrott vs Mist
crap / manure
'der Mist' and 'der Schrott' can both colloquially mean something very bad or worthless. 'Schrott' fits especially well for things that are broken, old, or unusable, for example devices or cars. It can also stand for stupid talk. 'Mist' is broader and often expresses annoyance: about a situation, a task, a plan, or poor quality. Learners may confuse the words because both are derogatory. When something is broken or technically unusable, 'Schrott' is more precise. When you are generally annoyed, 'Mist' often fits better.
Schrott
Dieses alte Handy ist nur noch Schrott und geht ständig aus.
This old phone is nothing but junk now and keeps turning off.
Mist
Mist, der Zug ist gerade ohne uns abgefahren.
Damn, the train just left without us.
In real life
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