die Spritze
syringe
A medical instrument with a needle and a barrel, used to inject fluids into the body or remove them from it.
EXAMPLE
Die Ärztin bereitete die Spritze für die Impfung vor.
The doctor prepared the syringe for the vaccination.
die Spritze
syringe / shot
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Meanings
die Spritze
shot / injection
The injection itself; the administration of a medication with a syringe.
EXAMPLE
Das Kind hatte Angst vor der Spritze, aber es tat gar nicht weh.
The child was afraid of the shot, but it didn't hurt at all.
die Spritze
sprayer / squirt gun
A device for spraying liquids, for example a water gun or the nozzle of a fire hose.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder jagten sich im Garten mit Spritzen voller Wasser.
The children chased each other around the garden with squirters full of water.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'die Spritze' (syringe/shot/sprayer) is derived from the verb 'spritzen' (to spray/squirt). This verb means to expel a liquid quickly and under pressure, which connects the different meanings of the noun.
EXAMPLE
Der Gärtner spritzte die Pflanzen mit Wasser.
The gardener sprayed the plants with water.
Typical verbs
To describe an injection, fixed verb combinations are used. The doctor 'gibt eine Spritze' (gives a shot), while the patient 'bekommt eine Spritze' (gets a shot) or 'kriegt eine Spritze' (gets a shot, informal).
EXAMPLE
Ich muss morgen zum Arzt gehen, um eine Spritze zu bekommen.
I have to go to the doctor tomorrow to get a shot.
Context clue
The verb often reveals whether the instrument or the injection is meant. Verbs like 'vorbereiten' (to prepare) or 'aufziehen' (to draw up) refer to the instrument, while 'bekommen' (to get) or 'geben' (to give) usually refer to the injection as an action.
EXAMPLE
Die Arzthelferin zog die Spritze mit dem Impfstoff auf.
The medical assistant drew up the vaccine into the syringe.
Context clue
You can recognize the non-medical meaning from the context. Words like 'Wasser' (water), 'Garten' (garden), 'Kinder' (children), or 'Feuerwehr' (fire department) indicate that a device for spraying liquids is meant.
EXAMPLE
Bei der Hitze war die Wasserschlacht mit den Spritzen eine tolle Abkühlung.
In the heat, the water fight with the squirters was a great way to cool off.
Compare with
Spritze vs Schuss
shot
Schuss is an informal term for an injection, especially when referring to drug use. Spritze refers neutrally to an injection and is also common in everyday medical contexts. Schuss can fit when talking about drugs and in casual language, while Spritze is appropriate for medical treatment.
Spritze
Der Patient bekam beim Arzt eine Spritze gegen die Schmerzen.
The patient received an injection for the pain at the doctor's office.
Schuss
Der Abhängige setzte sich heimlich einen Schuss Heroin.
The addict secretly gave himself a shot of heroin.
In real life
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