das Tattoo
tattoo
A permanent drawing or symbol created by putting ink into the skin.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich im Urlaub ein kleines Tattoo auf den Arm stechen lassen.
He got a small tattoo on his arm while on vacation.
das Tattoo
tattoo
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Meanings
Usage tips
Origin of the word
'Tattoo' is an international word that came into German from Polynesian via English. It is used very frequently in everyday language.
EXAMPLE
Immer mehr Menschen entscheiden sich für ein Tattoo.
More and more people are choosing to get a tattoo.
Typical verb
To describe the process of being tattooed, you use the fixed expression 'sich ein Tattoo stechen lassen' (to get a tattoo). The verb 'stechen' (to prick/sting) describes the movement of the needle.
EXAMPLE
Sie möchte sich bald ihr erstes Tattoo stechen lassen.
She would like to get her first tattoo soon.
Having and removing
If you already have a tattoo, you say 'ein Tattoo haben' (to have a tattoo). If you have it removed, you use the phrase 'ein Tattoo entfernen lassen' (to have a tattoo removed).
EXAMPLE
Er hat ein großes Tattoo auf dem Rücken.
He has a large tattoo on his back.
Compare with
Tattoo vs Tätowierung
tattoo
Both words refer to a permanent design on the skin. “Tattoo” is more common in everyday speech and sounds more casual, while “Tätowierung” sounds more formal. “Tattoo” is usually appropriate in a personal conversation, while “Tätowierung” is more suitable in a factual or formal text.
Tattoo
Im Urlaub zeigte mir Lara stolz ihr neues Tattoo am Arm.
While on vacation, Lara proudly showed me her new tattoo on her arm.
Tätowierung
Im sachlichen Bericht wird die neue Tätowierung am Arm genau beschrieben.
The factual report describes the new tattoo on the arm in detail.
In real life
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