01
der Wasserhahn
faucet / tap
A device on a water pipe with which you can regulate and stop the flow of water.
example
Bitte dreh den Wasserhahn zu, er tropft.
Please turn off the faucet; it's dripping.
der Wasserhahn
faucet / tap
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Meanings
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is made up of 'Wasser' (water) and 'Hahn' (rooster). 'Hahn' actually means 'Gockel/rooster'. In the past, the handles often looked like a rooster's head, hence the name.
EXAMPLE
Der Wasserhahn in der Küche ist neu.
The faucet in the kitchen is new.
Typical verbs
The most important verbs are 'aufdrehen' (to turn on/open) and 'zudrehen' (to turn off/close). If water is flowing uncontrolled, you say 'der Wasserhahn läuft' (the faucet is running) or 'der Wasserhahn tropft' (the faucet is dripping).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte den Wasserhahn etwas wärmer aufdrehen?
Can you please turn the faucet a little warmer?
Prepositions
You get water 'aus dem Wasserhahn' (from the faucet; dative, origin). You hold something 'unter den Wasserhahn' (under the faucet; accusative, direction).
EXAMPLE
Fülle die Flasche bitte mit Wasser aus dem Wasserhahn.
Please fill the bottle with water from the faucet.
Compare with
Wasserhahn vs Hahn
rooster / tap
'der Hahn' and 'der Wasserhahn' can both mean the device used to turn water on and off. 'Wasserhahn' is more precise because it makes clear that the topic is water. 'Hahn' is shorter and completely natural in the right context, for example in the bathroom or kitchen. Learners may confuse the words because 'Hahn' can also mean an animal or a part of a weapon. If the context is not clear, 'Wasserhahn' is safer and more unambiguous.
Wasserhahn
Am Abend tropft der Wasserhahn im Bad immer noch.
In the evening, the faucet in the bathroom is still dripping.
Hahn
Nach dem Händewaschen dreht Mehmet den Hahn wieder fest zu.
After washing his hands, Mehmet turns the tap firmly off again.
In real life
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