der Tropfen
drop
A very small, usually spherical amount of a liquid that forms and falls.
EXAMPLE
Ein Tropfen Regen fiel auf ihre Nase.
A drop of rain fell on her nose.
der Tropfen
drop
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Meanings
der Tropfen
drops
A small dose of a liquid medicine that is taken drop by drop. Usually used in the plural.
EXAMPLE
Nehmen Sie dreimal täglich zehn Tropfen nach dem Essen.
Take ten drops three times a day after meals.
ein Tropfen auf den heißen Stein
a drop in the bucket
An idiom meaning that a measure is so minor that, given the size of the problem, it has little or no effect.
EXAMPLE
Die Spende von 100 Euro ist bei den riesigen Schulden leider nur ein Tropfen auf den heißen Stein.
The donation of 100 euros is unfortunately only a drop in the bucket given the enormous debts.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Tropfen' (drop) is closely related to the verb 'tropfen' (to drip). The verb describes the action when a liquid falls in small, round amounts.
EXAMPLE
Hörst du, wie der Regen auf das Dach tropft?
Do you hear the rain dripping onto the roof?
Typical collocations
In its basic meaning, 'Tropfen' (drop) is often combined with the type of liquid. Typical examples are 'Regentropfen' (raindrop), 'Wassertropfen' (drop of water), or 'Schweißtropfen' (drop of sweat).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sport hatte er Schweißtropfen auf der Stirn.
After exercising, he had drops of sweat on his forehead.
Context clue
In the medical meaning, 'Tropfen' (drops) is almost always used in the plural. Words like 'einnehmen' (to take), 'Augen-' (eye), or 'Husten-' (cough) make it clear that it is a medicine.
EXAMPLE
Gegen meine Erkältung nehme ich diese pflanzlichen Tropfen.
I take these herbal drops for my cold.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'ein Tropfen auf den heißen Stein' literally means 'a drop on a hot stone' and is always used in this fixed form. It describes an action that is too small in relation to the problem to have a real effect.
EXAMPLE
Die kleine Gehaltserhöhung ist bei der hohen Inflation nur ein Tropfen auf den heißen Stein.
The small pay raise is only a drop in the bucket given the high inflation.
Compare with
Tropfen vs lecken
to lick / leak
Der Tropfen refers to the small amount of liquid that visibly escapes. Lecken, on the other hand, describes a container or pipe being leaky, causing liquid or gas to escape. With a faucet, you can therefore see the drop and say at the same time that the faucet is leaking.
Tropfen
Aus dem undichten Wasserhahn fällt langsam ein Tropfen ins Becken.
A drop slowly falls into the sink from the leaky faucet.
lecken
Der Wasserhahn leckt an der Dichtung und verliert langsam Wasser.
The faucet is leaking at the seal and slowly losing water.
In real life
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