01
das Tröpfchen
droplet
A very small drop of liquid.
example
Nach dem Regen hingen noch kleine Tröpfchen an den Blättern.
After the rain, small droplets were still hanging on the leaves.
das Tröpfchen
droplet
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Meanings
Usage tips
Diminutive form
The ending '-chen' is a diminutive form. A 'Tröpfchen' (droplet) is therefore a small 'Tropfen' (drop). All nouns with the ending '-chen' are neuter and have the article 'das'.
EXAMPLE
Ein einzelnes Tröpfchen fiel vom undichten Wasserhahn.
A single droplet fell from the leaky faucet.
Typical combinations
'Tröpfchen' (droplet) is often combined with the type of liquid, for example as 'Wassertröpfchen' (water droplet) or 'Regentröpfchen' (raindrop). Typical verbs are 'perlen' (to bead), 'hängen' (to hang), or 'sich bilden' (to form).
EXAMPLE
Am Morgen perlten unzählige Tautröpfchen auf den Grashalmen.
In the morning, countless tiny dew droplets beaded on the blades of grass.
Medical context
The word is not only used for rain or dew. In the medical field, people speak of a 'Tröpfcheninfektion' (droplet infection) when diseases are transmitted through tiny liquid particles in the air.
EXAMPLE
Beim Husten und Niesen verbreiten sich feine Tröpfchen in der Umgebung.
When coughing and sneezing, fine droplets spread into the surrounding area.
Compare with
Tröpfchen vs Tropfen
drop
'der Tropfen' and 'das Tröpfchen' both refer to a very small amount of liquid. 'Tröpfchen' is the diminutive form of 'Tropfen' and emphasizes that the amount is especially small. It can also sound a bit softer or more vivid. 'Tropfen' is more neutral and fits almost all normal situations. 'Tröpfchen' is used more when you want to emphasize the small size, for example with fine water mist or very small particles of liquid.
Tröpfchen
Auf den Blättern lagen am Morgen viele kleine Tröpfchen.
In the morning, there were many small droplets on the leaves.
Tropfen
Am Wasserhahn hängt noch ein Tropfen, obwohl er schon zugedreht ist.
There is still a drop hanging from the faucet, even though it has already been turned off.
In real life
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