das Würstchen
sausage
A small, usually elongated sausage that is often fried or boiled. It is the diminutive form of Wurst (sausage).
EXAMPLE
Zum Grillen gibt es Steaks und Würstchen.
For the barbecue, there will be steaks and sausages.
das Würstchen
sausage
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Meanings
das Würstchen
wimp
A colloquial, derogatory term for a weak, insignificant, or whiny person.
EXAMPLE
Sei doch nicht so ein Würstchen und spring endlich vom Dreimeterbrett!
Don't be such a wimp and finally jump off the three-meter diving board!
Usage tips
Word formation: diminutive
'Würstchen' is the diminutive form of 'die Wurst' (sausage). The ending '-chen' makes the noun neuter (das) and often adds an umlaut to the vowel (u → ü).
EXAMPLE
Für die Kinder gibt es heute Nudeln mit kleinen Würstchen.
For the children today, there will be noodles with small sausages.
Context clue
You can easily recognize the meaning from context. If people are talking about food, barbecuing, or cooking, it means the small sausage. If it is about a person's character or behavior, it means the derogatory term.
EXAMPLE
Ich lege noch ein paar Würstchen auf den Grill.
I'll put a few more sausages on the grill.
Typical collocations
In connection with food, 'Würstchen' is often used with verbs like 'grillen' (to grill), 'braten' (to fry), 'kochen' (to boil), or 'essen' (to eat).
EXAMPLE
Sollen wir die Würstchen in der Pfanne braten oder auf den Grill legen?
Should we fry the sausages in the pan or put them on the grill?
Register: colloquial
Calling a person a 'Würstchen' (wimp) is colloquial and derogatory. It is used to criticize someone as weak or cowardly.
EXAMPLE
Sei kein Würstchen und sag ihm deine Meinung!
Don't be a wimp and tell him your opinion!
Compare with
Würstchen vs Wurst
sausage
Wurst and Würstchen both refer to an elongated food made from sausage mixture. Würstchen is the smaller form, while Wurst can also refer to a larger or more general product. Use Würstchen for small portions and Wurst as the general term.
Würstchen
Für die Kinder habe ich jeweils ein kleines Würstchen gekocht.
I cooked a small sausage for each of the children.
Wurst
Für das Abendessen hat der Metzger eine große Wurst geschnitten.
For dinner, the butcher sliced a large sausage.
In real life
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