01
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 tätowieren
to tattoo
'das Tattoo' and 'tätowieren' belong to the same situation, but they have different grammatical roles. 'Das Tattoo' is the picture or symbol on the skin. 'Tätowieren' is the action: someone puts this image into the skin with ink. Learners may confuse the words because they refer to the same content. Remember: you have a 'Tattoo', but someone 'tätowiert' a person, or someone 'lässt sich tätowieren' (gets tattooed).
Tattoo
Das Tattoo auf ihrem Arm zeigt einen kleinen Vogel.
The tattoo on her arm shows a small bird.
tätowieren
Lisa lässt sich im Studio ein kleines Symbol tätowieren.
Lisa is getting a small symbol tattooed at the studio.
In real life
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