der Schwamm
sponge
A porous, absorbent cleaning tool used for washing or cleaning.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir bitte den Schwamm geben, um den Tisch abzuwischen?
Could you please give me the sponge so I can wipe the table?
der Schwamm
sponge
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Meanings
der Schwamm
dry rot
A fungus that often attacks and decomposes wood or masonry.
EXAMPLE
Im Keller wurde ein Befall durch den Echten Hausschwamm festgestellt.
An infestation of true dry rot was found in the basement.
Schwamm drüber!
let's forget it
A fixed expression meaning that one should forget about something and not talk about it anymore.
EXAMPLE
Wir waren uns uneinig, aber egal, Schwamm drüber!
We disagreed, but never mind, let's forget it!
der Schwamm
sponge
A sessile aquatic animal with a porous body.
EXAMPLE
Beim Tauchen sahen wir viele bunte Schwämme am Korallenriff.
While diving, we saw many colorful sponges on the coral reef.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning of 'Schwamm' depends strongly on the context. In the kitchen, it is a cleaning tool; in the basement of a house, it is a dangerous fungus; and in the sea, it is an animal.
EXAMPLE
Ich brauche einen neuen Schwamm für die Küche.
I need a new sponge for the kitchen.
Fixed expression
'Schwamm drüber!' (let's forget it!) is a fixed expression. You use it to end an argument and signal that you want to forget the matter and not talk about it anymore.
EXAMPLE
Okay, wir hatten verschiedene Meinungen, aber jetzt ist es auch egal. Schwamm drüber!
Okay, we had different opinions, but it doesn't matter now. Let's forget it!
Typical verbs
In connection with a cleaning sponge, the verbs 'ausdrücken' (to squeeze out), 'nass machen' (to wet), and 'abwischen' (to wipe) are often used.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte den Schwamm nass machen und den Tisch abwischen?
Could you please wet the sponge and wipe the table?
Warning sign in construction
When 'Schwamm' is mentioned in the context of buildings, basements, or wood, it almost always refers to the harmful fungus. This is a serious problem and has nothing to do with cleaning.
EXAMPLE
Die Sanierung des alten Hauses wird teuer, weil überall der Schwamm ist.
The renovation of the old house will be expensive because there is dry rot everywhere.
Compare with
Schwamm vs Pilz
mushroom / fungus
„Pilz“ refers here to the organism in general, whereas „Schwamm“ means a specific fungus that attacks and decomposes wood or masonry. Both words can be appropriate for an infestation in a building. If only the biological infestation is meant, „Pilz“ is appropriate; for this particular building-damaging fungus, „Schwamm“ is more precise.
Schwamm
An der feuchten Wand hat sich Schwamm ausgebreitet und bereits das Holz zersetzt.
Dry rot has spread across the damp wall and has already decomposed the wood.
Pilz
An der feuchten Wand hat sich ein Pilz ausgebreitet, dessen genaue Art noch unklar ist.
A fungus has spread across the damp wall, but its exact species is still unclear.
In real life
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