der Stöpsel
stopper / plug
An object, usually made of rubber, plastic, or cork, used to close an opening, especially the drain of a sink or bathtub.
EXAMPLE
Ich finde den Stöpsel für die Badewanne nicht.
I can't find the plug for the bathtub.
der Stöpsel
stopper / plug
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Meanings
der Stöpsel
little one
A colloquial and often affectionate term for a small person, especially a small child.
EXAMPLE
Komm mal her, du kleiner Stöpsel!
Come here, you little one!
der Stöpsel
plug
A colloquial or regional term for an electrical plug that is inserted into a socket.
EXAMPLE
Zieh mal bitte den Stöpsel vom Radio aus der Wand.
Please pull the radio plug out of the wall.
Usage tips
Word family
'Stöpsel' is related to the verb 'stopfen' (to stuff / to plug), which means 'to fill or close an opening.' So a 'Stöpsel' (stopper / plug) is a small thing you use to plug something.
EXAMPLE
Mit einem Korken kann man eine Flasche fest stopfen.
You can tightly plug a bottle with a cork.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the context: If it is about a 'Waschbecken' (sink) or a 'Badewanne' (bathtub), it refers to the stopper. If a person is being addressed affectionately, it means a small child. In the context of 'Steckdose' (socket) or 'Kabel' (cable), it means an electrical plug.
EXAMPLE
Ohne den Stöpsel läuft das Wasser aus dem Waschbecken.
Without the plug, the water runs out of the sink.
Typical use
In its main meaning as a stopper for a drain, 'Stöpsel' is often used with the verbs 'ziehen' (to pull, to remove it) or '(rein)stecken' (to insert, to put it in place).
EXAMPLE
Wenn du baden willst, musst du erst den Stöpsel in den Abfluss stecken.
If you want to take a bath, you first have to put the plug in the drain.
Register: colloquial
The term 'Stöpsel' for a small child is colloquial and is usually used affectionately or in a diminutive way.
EXAMPLE
Die Oma nennt ihren Enkel liebevoll „mein kleiner Stöpsel“.
The grandma affectionately calls her grandson 'my little one.'
Register: regional
The use of 'Stöpsel' for an electrical plug is colloquial and common mainly in certain regions of Germany.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mal den Stöpsel vom Fernseher aus der Steckdose ziehen?
Can you pull the TV plug out of the socket?
Compare with
Stöpsel vs Stecker
plug
Der Stecker and der Stöpsel can both refer to the end of a cable that goes into an electrical outlet. „Stecker“ is the standard term, while „Stöpsel“ sounds colloquial or regional in this sense. „Stecker“ is therefore the more appropriate choice in neutral instructions and conversations.
Stöpsel
Bitte steck den Stöpsel des Ladegeräts in die Steckdose.
Please plug the charger into the outlet.
Stecker
Bitte steck den Stecker des Ladegeräts in die Steckdose.
Please plug the charger into the outlet.
In real life
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