spritzen
to inject
To inject a liquid into the body or an object with a syringe.
EXAMPLE
Die Ärztin musste ihm ein Schmerzmittel spritzen.
The doctor had to inject him with a painkiller.
spritzen
to inject / spray
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Meanings
spritzen
to spray
To release or distribute a liquid in a stream or as a mist.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder spritzten sich im Sommer mit Wasserpistolen nass.
In the summer, the children sprayed each other wet with water pistols.
spritzen
to pipe
To apply a soft mass such as whipped cream or dough in a shaped way using a piping bag.
EXAMPLE
Sie spritzte kleine Sahnetupfer auf die Torte.
She piped small dollops of whipped cream onto the cake.
spritzen
to spray
To apply paint or varnish to a surface with a spray gun.
EXAMPLE
Der Lackierer muss die Autotür komplett neu spritzen.
The painter has to completely respray the car door.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'spritzen' (to inject/spray) is closely connected to the noun 'die Spritze' (syringe; sprayer). A 'Spritze' is the tool used to inject or spray liquids, which explains the basic meaning of the verb.
EXAMPLE
Der Gärtner füllte die Spritze mit Wasser, um die Pflanzen zu spritzen.
The gardener filled the sprayer with water to spray the plants.
Dative and accusative object
In medical contexts, 'spritzen' (to inject) is often used with two objects: the person receiving the injection is in the dative, and the medication is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt spritzte dem Patienten ein starkes Schmerzmittel.
The doctor injected the patient with a strong painkiller.
Typical collocations
In its medical meaning, the verb is often combined with words like 'Insulin' (insulin), 'ein Medikament' (a medication), 'eine Impfung' (a vaccination), or 'ein Betäubungsmittel' (an anesthetic).
EXAMPLE
Diabetiker müssen sich regelmäßig Insulin spritzen.
Diabetics have to inject themselves with insulin regularly.
Use with a preposition
When you spray a person or thing with a liquid, you often use the structure: 'jemanden/etwas mit etwas (Dativ) spritzen' (to spray someone/something with something).
EXAMPLE
Er hat mich aus Versehen mit dem Gartenschlauch nass gespritzt.
He accidentally sprayed me wet with the garden hose.
Context: baking and cooking
In connection with baking and cooking, 'spritzen' (to pipe) means to apply a soft mass such as whipped cream or dough with a piping bag. Typical objects are 'Sahne' (whipped cream), 'Creme' (cream), or 'Verzierungen' (decorations).
EXAMPLE
Für die Dekoration spritzte sie kleine Schokoladenherzen auf den Kuchen.
For the decoration, she piped small chocolate hearts onto the cake.
Context: craft and industry
When it comes to craftwork or industry, 'spritzen' often means to apply paint or varnish with a spray gun. You can recognize this meaning from words like 'Lack' (varnish/paint), 'Farbe' (paint), 'Auto' (car), or 'Wand' (wall).
EXAMPLE
Die Werkstatt muss den ganzen Kotflügel neu spritzen.
The workshop has to respray the whole fender.
Compare with
spritzen vs sprengen
to blast / exceed
Spritzen and sprengen can both refer to distributing water. Spritzen tends to emphasize the stream coming out or larger drops, while sprengen is especially common for watering a lawn or garden over a broad area. Use spritzen for a stream of water and usually sprengen for the area being watered.
spritzen
Der Gartenschlauch spritzt einen kräftigen Wasserstrahl auf den trockenen Rasen.
The garden hose sprays a powerful stream of water onto the dry lawn.
sprengen
Wir sprengen am Abend den ganzen Rasen, weil es seit Tagen nicht geregnet hat.
We water the entire lawn in the evening because it has not rained for days.
In real life
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