01
die Spucke
spit / saliva
The fluid produced in the mouth; saliva.
example
Der Arzt nahm eine Probe von seiner Spucke.
The doctor took a sample of his saliva.
die Spucke
spit / saliva
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'die Spucke' (spit/saliva) belongs to the word family of the verb 'spucken' (to spit). It refers to the fluid that one can spit out.
EXAMPLE
Der Bauarbeiter spuckte auf den Boden.
The construction worker spat on the ground.
Register
'Spucke' (spit/saliva) is the colloquial, everyday expression for the fluid in the mouth. In a medical or scientific context, the word 'der Speichel' (saliva) is used.
EXAMPLE
Wisch dir mal die Spucke vom Mundwinkel.
Wipe the spit from the corner of your mouth.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'jemandem bleibt die Spucke weg' (someone is left speechless) is fixed. The person who is speechless is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Als er den Hauptpreis gewann, blieb ihm vor Freude die Spucke weg.
When he won the grand prize, he was left speechless with joy.
Compare with
Spucke vs Speichel
saliva
'die Spucke' and 'der Speichel' both refer to the fluid in the mouth. The difference is mainly one of style. 'Speichel' sounds more neutral and is often used in medicine, care, or biology. 'Spucke' is more colloquial and can sound a bit crude, especially when it is about spitting something out. Learners can easily confuse the words because they often mean the same thing. In a doctor's appointment, 'Speichel' is usually more natural; in everyday speech, people often say 'Spucke'.
Spucke
Nach dem Rennen hatte Max kaum noch Spucke im Mund.
After the race, Max hardly had any spit left in his mouth.
Speichel
Der Arzt braucht eine Probe vom Speichel für den Test.
The doctor needs a saliva sample for the test.
In real life
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