die Spinnerei
nonsense
A crazy, nonsensical idea or a foolish undertaking. Used colloquially and disparagingly.
EXAMPLE
Ein Haus auf dem Mars zu bauen? Das ist doch eine totale Spinnerei!
Building a house on Mars? That's complete nonsense!
die Spinnerei
nonsense / spinning mill
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
die Spinnerei
spinning mill
An industrial facility where yarn is spun from fibers such as cotton or wool.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Spinnerei am Fluss wurde zu modernen Wohnungen umgebaut.
The old spinning mill by the river was converted into modern apartments.
Usage tips
Word family
Both meanings of 'Spinnerei' derive from the verb 'spinnen'. 'Spinnen' literally means 'to make yarn', but colloquially it also means 'to be crazy' or 'to talk nonsense'.
EXAMPLE
Er spinnt doch, wenn er glaubt, das funktioniert.
He must be crazy if he thinks that will work.
Register and style
The meaning 'crazy idea' is colloquial and is often used disparagingly to dismiss a plan or statement as unrealistic or stupid.
EXAMPLE
Seine Idee, ohne Geld eine Weltreise zu machen, ist doch eine reine Spinnerei.
His idea of traveling around the world without money is just pure nonsense.
Typical collocations
In the colloquial meaning, the word is often intensified with adjectives such as 'total' (complete), 'rein' (pure), or 'glatt' (sheer) to emphasize the absurdity of an idea.
EXAMPLE
Glaub diese Geschichte nicht, das ist eine totale Spinnerei.
Don't believe this story; it's complete nonsense.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning 'factory' from the context. Words like 'Gebäude' (building), 'Industrie' (industry), 'alt' (old), 'renovieren' (to renovate), or location information clearly point to the industrial facility.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Spinnerei wurde zu einem Kulturzentrum umgebaut.
The old spinning mill was converted into a cultural center.
Compare with
Spinnerei vs Wahnsinn
madness / amazing
Wahnsinn and Spinnerei can both disparagingly describe a crazy action or idea. Wahnsinn is a strong, immediate judgment, especially of something extremely unreasonable or dangerous. Spinnerei refers more to a nonsensical idea or foolish undertaking.
Spinnerei
Die Idee, für den Ausflug ein Schloss aus Pappe zu bauen, ist eine Spinnerei.
The idea of building a cardboard castle for the outing is nonsense.
Wahnsinn
Bei diesem Sturm ohne Ausrüstung aufzusteigen, ist Wahnsinn.
Trying to climb in this storm without any equipment is madness.
In real life
Loading video examples...