der Topf
pot
A round, deep piece of cookware, usually made of metal, used for cooking, frying, or braising food on the stove.
EXAMPLE
Stell bitte den großen Topf für die Nudeln auf den Herd.
Please put the large pot for the pasta on the stove.
der Topf
pot
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
der Topf
pot
A container made of clay or plastic for plants.
EXAMPLE
Die Tomatenpflanze braucht einen größeren Topf.
The tomato plant needs a larger pot.
der Topf
fund / pot
Figuratively, a fund or budget from which money is taken for a specific purpose.
EXAMPLE
Für Kulturprojekte gibt es einen eigenen Fördertopf.
There is a separate funding pot for cultural projects.
jeder Topf findet seinen Deckel
there's someone for everyone
A proverb saying that there is a suitable partner for every person.
EXAMPLE
Mach dir keine Sorgen, du bist ein toller Mensch – jeder Topf findet seinen Deckel.
Don't worry, you're a great person—there's someone for everyone.
Usage tips
Context clues
The meaning of 'Topf' (pot) is almost always clear from context. Words like 'kochen' (to cook) or 'Herd' (stove) point to a cooking pot, 'Pflanze' (plant) or 'Erde' (soil) to a flowerpot, and 'Geld' (money) or 'Förderung' (funding) to the metaphorical meaning.
EXAMPLE
Wir brauchen Erde, um die Blume in den neuen Topf zu pflanzen.
We need soil to plant the flower in the new pot.
Typical verbs
In connection with cooking, 'Topf' (pot) is often combined with certain verbs. Typical actions are to 'auf den Herd stellen' (put a pot on the stove), 'vom Herd nehmen' (take it off the stove), or 'im Topf kochen' (cook something in the pot).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte den Topf mit der Suppe vom Herd nehmen?
Can you please take the pot of soup off the stove?
Metaphorical meaning
In the figurative meaning, 'Topf' (pot) stands for a budget or sum of money that has been collected for a specific purpose. People often speak of a 'Fördertopf' (funding pot), 'Geldtopf' (money pot), or 'Lostopf' (lottery pot).
EXAMPLE
Alle Bewerber für das Stipendium kommen in denselben Topf.
All applicants for the scholarship go into the same pot.
Fixed proverb
The sentence 'Jeder Topf findet seinen Deckel' (every pot finds its lid) is a well-known German proverb. It is used to express that there is the right partner for everyone.
EXAMPLE
Sei nicht traurig, dass du Single bist. Jeder Topf findet seinen Deckel.
Don't be sad that you're single. There's someone for everyone.
Compare with
Topf vs Fonds
fund
Both the fund and the pot can contain money for a specific purpose. Fonds is the neutral term for funds that have been provided. Topf is a figurative expression for a budget and is particularly fitting when talking about where the money comes from or how it is distributed.
Topf
Das Geld für die Renovierung der Schulen kommt aus einem gemeinsamen Topf.
The money for renovating the schools is coming from a shared pot.
Fonds
Die Stadt richtet einen Fonds für die Renovierung der Schulen ein.
The city is setting up a fund to renovate the schools.
In real life
Loading video examples...