Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 noun #3,500 le plus courant 7 min de lecture

Dreck

Top 3,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces Dreck en 30 secondes

Explication Dreck in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 'Dreck' as a simple word for 'dirt'. You might hear it when talking about cleaning your room or if your clothes get dirty outside. It is usually introduced alongside basic nouns like 'Haus' (house) or 'Kleidung' (clothes). At this stage, you don't need to worry about idioms. Just remember that 'der Dreck' is masculine and it means something is not clean. Example: 'Das ist Dreck.' (That is dirt). You might also learn 'dreckig' (dirty) as an adjective, which is very common. 'Meine Hände sind dreckig.' It is a useful word for basic daily survival and describing your environment in simple terms.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

By A2, you should be able to use 'Dreck' in short sentences with common verbs. You will learn that you can 'remove' dirt (Dreck wegmachen) or that something is 'full of dirt' (voller Dreck). You start to see the word in the context of household chores and gardening. You should also be aware of the difference between 'Dreck' and 'Müll' (trash), as A2 learners often confuse them. 'Müll' goes in the bin, 'Dreck' is on the floor. You might also encounter the word in simple stories or descriptions of nature, like 'Dreck auf dem Wanderweg' (dirt on the hiking trail).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At B1, 'Dreck' becomes more versatile. You should start recognizing it in common German idioms and compound words. You'll learn 'Dreck am Stecken haben' (to have something to hide) and 'Dreckswetter' (terrible weather). You should be able to distinguish between the neutral 'Schmutz' and the more expressive 'Dreck'. At this level, you use the word to express minor frustration or to describe low-quality items ('Das ist doch Dreck!'). You also understand the grammatical nuances, such as using the dative case in 'im Dreck spielen'. This is the level where the word moves from just being a 'thing' to being a way to express feelings about things.

At the B2 level, you use 'Dreck' to discuss more abstract concepts. You might hear it in news reports or documentaries about environmental pollution, though 'Verschmutzung' is more formal. You understand the social weight of the word—how calling someone's work 'Dreck' is a significant insult. You are comfortable using it in various registers, knowing exactly when it's too informal for a situation. You also start to see its use in literature or more complex media to describe 'gritty' or 'filthy' urban environments. Your vocabulary includes related verbs like 'verdrecken' (to become filthy) and 'besudeln' (to soil/stain).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

By C1, you have a nuanced understanding of 'Dreck'. You can use it rhetorically to emphasize disgust or to critique social issues. You understand the historical and cultural connotations of 'dirt' in German society. You can analyze how authors use 'Dreck' as a metaphor for moral decay or poverty. You are familiar with rare or regional variations and can use the word in complex idiomatic structures. You also know how to avoid the word strategically in high-level academic or professional discourse to maintain a formal tone, choosing words like 'Kontamination' or 'Unrat' instead, while knowing that 'Dreck' would provide more emotional punch in a speech.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 'Dreck'. You can use it with precision in creative writing to evoke specific atmospheres. You understand the etymological roots and how they relate to other Germanic languages. You can play with the word in puns or sophisticated irony. You recognize its use in classical German literature (e.g., Goethe or Brecht) and how its meaning has subtly shifted over centuries. You can navigate the most vulgar slang uses and the most poetic metaphorical uses with ease, understanding the full spectrum of 'Dreck' from a speck of dust to a profound statement on the human condition.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

Dreck en 30 secondes

Dreck means dirt or filth, often specifically mud or heavy grime.
It is a masculine noun: der Dreck, and usually uncountable.
It is more informal and expressive than the neutral word 'Schmutz'.
Figuratively, it refers to something worthless, low-quality, or morally bad.

The German noun Dreck is a foundational word for any learner reaching the B1 level, primarily because it bridges the gap between literal physical mess and figurative social commentary. At its most basic, it refers to dirt, filth, or mud. However, its usage is far more visceral than the more clinical term Schmutz. While Schmutz might be a smudge on a window, Dreck is the thick mud on your boots after a hike in the Black Forest or the accumulated grime in an abandoned building. It carries a heavier, often more negative connotation.

Literal Filth: Physical substances like mud, soil, or dust that make things unclean. It is often used when the mess is substantial or unpleasant to touch.

Figurative Trash: Used to describe something of very low quality, a 'piece of junk', or even morally corrupt behavior. If a movie is terrible, a German might call it 'Dreck'.

Pass auf, da vorne liegt eine Menge Dreck auf dem Weg.

In social contexts, Dreck is frequently used in idioms. To have 'Dreck am Stecken' means to have a skeleton in one's closet or a guilty conscience. This highlights how the word moves from the ground to the character of a person. It is also used as a prefix in derogatory terms (Dreckskarre, Dreckswetter), emphasizing frustration.

Ich habe den ganzen Dreck endlich weggeschrubbt.

Dieser alte Computer ist doch nur noch Dreck.

Warum erzählst du so einen Dreck über mich?

Der Hund hat den ganzen Dreck ins Haus getragen.

Emotional Resonance: It conveys a sense of rejection. When you call something 'Dreck', you aren't just saying it's dirty; you're saying it's worthless or offensive to your standards of cleanliness or morality.

Using Dreck correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a masculine noun and its common collocations. Since it is an uncountable noun when referring to 'dirt' in general, you rarely see it in the plural form Drecke, though that form technically exists for different types of filth. Most often, you will see it in the accusative case after verbs of movement or cleaning.

With Cleaning Verbs: Common verbs include 'wegmachen' (to remove), 'entfernen' (to remove formally), 'aufwischen' (to mop up), and 'schrubben' (to scrub). Example: 'Kannst du bitte den Dreck wegmachen?'

Überall in der Küche klebt dieser klebrige Dreck.

In Prepositional Phrases: 'Im Dreck' (in the dirt) is very common. 'Die Kinder spielen im Dreck' (The children are playing in the dirt). 'Voller Dreck' (full of dirt) is used to describe objects: 'Deine Schuhe sind voller Dreck.'

Wir mussten das Auto aus dem Dreck ziehen.

Lass den Dreck bitte draußen vor der Tür.

Das ist mir völlig Dreckegal (slang: I don't care at all).

Wer wirft hier seinen Dreck einfach auf den Boden?

Compound Words: 'Dreck' is a prolific prefix. 'Dreckarbeit' (dirty work), 'Drecksschleuder' (car that emits a lot of pollution), 'Dreckfleck' (dirt stain). These are mostly informal and expressive.

In daily life in Germany, Dreck is ubiquitous but context-dependent. You will hear it most frequently in domestic settings, on construction sites, and in casual conversations among friends. It is not a word you would typically find in a high-level academic paper unless discussing environmental pollutants or sociological 'filth', but it is absolutely essential for understanding spoken German.

The Household: Parents often tell their children to 'wash the Dreck off their hands' or complain about the 'Dreck' the cat brought in. It’s the standard word for domestic mess that requires effort to clean.

Nach der Gartenarbeit hatte ich überall Dreck unter den Fingernägeln.

On the Street and Construction: Construction workers use it to refer to debris and excavated earth. On the street, you might hear people complaining about 'Hundedreck' (dog mess) on the sidewalk—a common urban annoyance in German cities.

Die Baustelle verursacht so viel Dreck in der ganzen Nachbarschaft.

Weg mit dem Dreck! Das gehört in den Müll.

Es ist mir egal, was für einen Dreck die Leute über mich erzählen.

Der Regen hat den ganzen Dreck von der Straße gewaschen.

In Modern Media: In films and TV shows, 'Dreck' is used to describe low-life characters or 'dirty' deals. It’s a staple of crime dramas (Krimis) where detectives look for 'Dreck am Stecken' in suspects.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is confusing Dreck with Müll (trash) or Schmutz (dirt/grime). While they overlap, they are not interchangeable.

Dreck vs. Müll: 'Müll' is what you put in a bin—packaging, old food, waste. 'Dreck' is what gets on your hands or floor—mud, dust, filth. You don't 'empty the Dreck' (unless it's a dustpan), you 'empty the Müll'.

Falsch: Ich muss den Dreck rausbringen (wenn man Müll meint).

Overusing it in Formal Settings: 'Dreck' can sound a bit vulgar or overly blunt. In a professional email about a workplace cleanliness issue, use 'Verunreinigung' or 'Schmutz'. 'Dreck' sounds like you are angry or disgusted.

Richtig: Die Straße war voller Dreck nach dem Sturm.

Falsch: Da sind viele Drecke auf dem Hemd.

Richtig: Da ist viel Dreck auf dem Hemd.

Literal vs. Figurative Confusions: Be careful with 'Dreck' when talking about people. Calling someone 'Dreck' is a very strong insult (scum). Ensure you are using it to describe their actions ('Das war Dreck') rather than their person, unless you intend to be highly offensive.

To sound more like a native, you should know when to swap Dreck for a more specific term. German has a rich vocabulary for various states of uncleanness.

Schmutz: The standard, neutral word for dirt. Used in advertising for cleaning products and professional contexts. Comparison: Schmutz is a stain; Dreck is a pile of mud.

Schlamm: Specifically 'mud'. If the dirt is wet and gooey, 'Schlamm' is more accurate. 'Dreck' can be dry or wet.

Der Weg war nach dem Regen voller Schlamm.

Mist: Literally 'manure' or 'dung'. Colloquially used like 'crap' or 'rubbish'. 'So ein Mist!' is a common exclamation of frustration, similar to 'So ein Dreck!', but slightly less harsh.

Erzähl keinen Mist! (Don't talk rubbish!)

Unrat: A more formal or literary word for refuse or filth. You might see this on signs or in older literature.

Der Staubsauger saugt den ganzen Staub und Dreck auf.

Müll vs. Abfall: Müll is everyday trash; Abfall is a more technical term for waste (industrial waste, organic waste). Neither is 'Dreck', which is the residue left behind.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The English word 'dreck' (meaning trash/rubbish) was borrowed from Yiddish, which in turn comes from the same German root.

Guide de prononciation

UK /drɛk/

US /drɛk/

Single syllable word; stress is on the whole word.

Rime avec

Eck Heck Speck Scheck weg Zweck Keck leck

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'r' too softly; it should be distinct.
Making the 'e' too long (like 'drake'); it must be short.
Forgetting the hard 'k' sound at the end.
Confusing the pronunciation with the English word 'dreck' (which is actually a loanword).
Softening the 'ck' into a 'ch' sound.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to its short length and frequent appearance.

Écriture 3/5

Requires knowledge of masculine declension and common compounds.

Expression orale 3/5

Needs correct 'r' and 'ck' pronunciation to sound natural.

Écoute 2/5

The sharp 'k' ending makes it easy to identify in speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

sauber schmutzig machen weg Boden

Apprends ensuite

Müll Abfall reinigen putzen Staubsauger

Avancé

besudeln verunreinigen Unrat Kläranlage Korruption

Grammaire à connaître

Masculine Noun Declension

Der Dreck (Nom), den Dreck (Acc), dem Dreck (Dat), des Drecks (Gen).

Uncountable Nouns

We say 'viel Dreck', not 'viele Drecke'.

Compound Noun Formation

Dreck + Wetter = Dreckswetter (with a linking 's').

Prepositions with Dative

In + dem Dreck = im Dreck.

Adjective Suffix -ig

Dreck + ig = dreckig (dirty).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

Da ist Dreck an deinem Schuh.

There is dirt on your shoe.

Dative after 'an'.

Der Dreck muss weg.

The dirt must go.

Subject in nominative.

Ist das Dreck?

Is that dirt?

Simple question structure.

Ich sehe den Dreck.

I see the dirt.

Accusative object.

Meine Hände haben viel Dreck.

My hands have a lot of dirt.

Noun with 'viel'.

Das ist kein Dreck, das ist Schokolade.

That's not dirt, that's chocolate.

Negation with 'kein'.

Überall ist Dreck.

Dirt is everywhere.

Adverb 'überall' with subject.

Wo ist der Dreck?

Where is the dirt?

Interrogative 'Wo'.

Die Kinder spielen gerne im Dreck.

The children like playing in the dirt.

Contraction 'im' (in dem).

Kannst du den Dreck bitte wegwischen?

Can you please wipe away the dirt?

Modal verb 'können'.

Der Hund bringt viel Dreck ins Haus.

The dog brings a lot of dirt into the house.

Preposition 'ins' (in das).

Wir haben den ganzen Dreck entfernt.

We removed all the dirt.

Perfect tense with 'haben'.

Deine Hose ist voller Dreck.

Your pants are full of dirt.

Adjective phrase 'voller Dreck'.

Nach dem Regen gab es viel Dreck auf der Straße.

After the rain, there was a lot of dirt on the street.

'Es gab' with accusative.

Putz den Dreck von deinen Schuhen!

Clean the dirt off your shoes!

Imperative form.

Ich mag keinen Dreck in meiner Wohnung.

I don't like any dirt in my flat.

Negation in accusative.

Das Auto ist so dreckig, man sieht den Lack vor lauter Dreck nicht mehr.

The car is so dirty you can't see the paint for all the dirt.

Causal 'vor lauter'.

Er hat sicher Dreck am Stecken.

He surely has something to hide.

Idiomatic expression.

Bei diesem Dreckswetter bleibe ich lieber zu Hause.

In this terrible weather, I'd rather stay home.

Compound noun with 's'.

Kümmer dich um deinen eigenen Dreck!

Mind your own business (lit: your own dirt)!

Reflexive 'sich kümmern um'.

Das ist doch alles Dreck, was er erzählt.

Everything he says is just rubbish.

Figurative use.

Wir mussten uns durch den Dreck wühlen.

We had to rummage through the dirt.

Reflexive 'sich wühlen'.

Der Film war totaler Dreck.

The movie was total rubbish.

Adjective 'totaler' modifying noun.

Man sollte nicht mit Dreck werfen.

One shouldn't throw mud (insult others).

Modal verb 'sollte'.

Die Industrie pumpt ihren Dreck einfach in den Fluss.

The industry just pumps its filth into the river.

Possessive pronoun 'ihren'.

Er wurde wie Dreck behandelt.

He was treated like dirt.

Comparison with 'wie'.

Der Skandal wirbelte viel Dreck auf.

The scandal stirred up a lot of dirt.

Separable verb 'aufwirbeln'.

Es ist mir dreckegal, was die Nachbarn denken.

I don't give a damn what the neighbors think.

Slang compound adjective.

Die Schuhe sind so voller Dreck, dass sie ruiniert sind.

The shoes are so full of dirt that they are ruined.

Consecutive clause with 'dass'.

Wer im Dreck wühlt, wird selbst schmutzig.

He who digs in the dirt gets dirty himself.

Relative clause.

Das Zimmer war starr vor Dreck.

The room was stiff with filth.

Idiom 'starr vor'.

Lass dich nicht in den Dreck ziehen.

Don't let yourself be dragged through the mud.

Passive-like 'lassen' construction.

Die politische Kampagne bestand nur noch aus Dreckschleuderei.

The political campaign consisted only of mud-slinging.

Abstract compound noun.

Unter dem glänzenden Schein verbarg sich tiefer Dreck.

Beneath the shining facade lay deep filth.

Metaphorical usage.

Er fühlte sich vom Dreck der Welt beschmutzt.

He felt soiled by the world's filth.

Genitive 'der Welt'.

Die Korruption ist der Dreck im Getriebe der Demokratie.

Corruption is the grit in the gears of democracy.

Complex metaphor.

Man kann den Dreck nicht einfach unter den Teppich kehren.

You can't just sweep the dirt under the rug.

Idiomatic phrasal usage.

Die Gier nach Macht zieht oft moralischen Dreck nach sich.

The greed for power often brings moral filth with it.

Verb phrase 'nach sich ziehen'.

Trotz des Drecks auf seiner Weste wurde er wiedergewählt.

Despite the stain on his reputation (lit: dirt on his vest), he was re-elected.

Preposition 'trotz' with genitive.

Die Realität des Krieges ist Blut und Dreck.

The reality of war is blood and filth.

Existential description.

Die literarische Darstellung des Drecks dient hier als Sozialkritik.

The literary depiction of filth serves here as social criticism.

Formal academic structure.

In der Ästhetik des Hässlichen nimmt der Dreck einen zentralen Platz ein.

In the aesthetics of the ugly, filth occupies a central place.

Philosophical context.

Er sezierte den moralischen Dreck der Gesellschaft mit chirurgischer Präzision.

He dissected the moral filth of society with surgical precision.

High-level metaphorical verb.

Nietzsche thematisierte oft den 'Dreck' des menschlichen Daseins.

Nietzsche often themed the 'filth' of human existence.

Philosophical citation.

Die ontologische Qualität des Drecks wird in diesem Werk hinterfragt.

The ontological quality of filth is questioned in this work.

Highly academic terminology.

Sogar aus dem tiefsten Dreck kann eine Blume wachsen.

Even from the deepest filth, a flower can grow.

Poetic inversion.

Der Dreck der Geschichte lässt sich nicht reinwaschen.

The filth of history cannot be washed clean.

Passive with 'lassen'.

Es ist die Dialektik zwischen Reinheit und Dreck, die den Roman treibt.

It is the dialectic between purity and filth that drives the novel.

Cleft sentence structure.

Collocations courantes

Dreck am Stecken haben

im Dreck spielen

den Dreck wegmachen

voller Dreck sein

Dreck aufwirbeln

jemanden wie Dreck behandeln

im Dreck wühlen

Dreck unter den Fingernägeln

Dreck fressen

Weg mit dem Dreck!

Phrases Courantes

Dreckswetter

— Very bad, rainy, or muddy weather.

Bei diesem Dreckswetter gehe ich nicht raus.

Dreckskerl

— A mean, dishonest, or nasty man.

Er ist ein richtiger Dreckskerl.

Dreckstück

— A very rude insult for a person or a broken object.

Dieses Dreckstück von einem Auto springt nicht an.

Dreckarbeit

— Hard, unpleasant, or dirty physical labor.

Ich muss immer die Dreckarbeit machen.

Dreckschleuder

— A vehicle or factory that pollutes heavily.

Sein alter Diesel ist eine echte Dreckschleuder.

Dreckspatz

— A child who has become very dirty while playing.

Komm her, du kleiner Dreckspatz!

Dreckfleck

— A spot or stain caused by dirt.

Du hast einen Dreckfleck auf der Wange.

Dreckhaufen

— A pile of dirt or rubbish.

Hinter dem Haus liegt ein großer Dreckhaufen.

Dreckloch

— A filthy or unpleasant place/room.

Die Kneipe war ein echtes Dreckloch.

Dreckwäsche

— Dirty laundry (often figurative: dirty secrets).

Man sollte seine Dreckwäsche nicht in der Öffentlichkeit waschen.

Souvent confondu avec

Dreck vs Müll

Müll is trash (paper, plastic); Dreck is dirt (mud, dust).

Dreck vs Schmutz

Schmutz is more general and polite; Dreck is more visceral and informal.

Dreck vs Erde

Erde is soil for plants; Dreck is soil where it shouldn't be.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Dreck am Stecken haben"

— To have a guilty conscience or a criminal past.

Niemand vertraut ihm, er hat Dreck am Stecken.

informal

"Jemanden durch den Dreck ziehen"

— To drag someone's name through the mud; to slander.

Die Presse hat ihn völlig durch den Dreck gezogen.

informal

"Sich nicht um jeden Dreck kümmern"

— To not worry about every little unimportant thing.

Ich kann mich nicht um jeden Dreck kümmern!

colloquial

"Das ist mir Dreckegal"

— I don't care at all (vulgar/very informal).

Es ist mir Dreckegal, was er sagt.

slang

"Im Dreck sitzen"

— To be in a very difficult or desperate situation.

Nach der Kündigung saß er richtig im Dreck.

informal

"Jemanden aus dem Dreck ziehen"

— To help someone out of a very difficult situation.

Seine Freunde haben ihn aus dem Dreck gezogen.

informal

"Dreck fressen"

— To endure extreme hardship or humiliation.

In der Ausbildung musste er erst mal Dreck fressen.

slang

"Wer Dreck anfasst, besudelt sich"

— If you associate with bad things/people, you will be tainted.

Sei vorsichtig mit diesen Geschäften; wer Dreck anfasst, besudelt sich.

proverbial

"Ein Dreck gegen etwas sein"

— To be nothing compared to something else.

Mein Problem ist ein Dreck gegen deines.

informal

"Jemandem geht es wie Dreck"

— Someone feels terrible or is being treated very poorly.

Mir geht es heute wie Dreck.

informal

Facile à confondre

Dreck vs Mist

Both mean 'crap' figuratively.

Mist is literally manure; Dreck is literally dirt. Mist is slightly less harsh as an exclamation.

Mist! Ich habe den Schlüssel vergessen.

Dreck vs Schlamm

Both can mean mud.

Schlamm is always wet; Dreck can be dry dust or wet mud.

Das Schwein wälzt sich im Schlamm.

Dreck vs Staub

Both describe uncleanness.

Staub is specifically fine dry particles; Dreck is broader and usually 'heavier'.

Überall auf den Büchern liegt Staub.

Dreck vs Abfall

Both relate to waste.

Abfall is technical/official for waste; Dreck is common for filth.

Bitte werfen Sie Ihren Abfall in die Tonne.

Dreck vs Unrat

Both mean filth.

Unrat is very formal/old-fashioned; Dreck is everyday language.

Der Fluss war voller Unrat.

Structures de phrases

Das ist [Dreck].

Das ist Dreck.

Ich mache den [Dreck] weg.

Ich mache den Dreck weg.

Alles ist voller [Dreck].

Meine Schuhe sind voller Dreck.

Er hat [Dreck] am Stecken.

Der Chef hat Dreck am Stecken.

Jemanden wie [Dreck] behandeln.

Er behandelt mich wie Dreck.

[Dreck] unter den Teppich kehren.

Wir können den Dreck nicht unter den Teppich kehren.

Sich durch den [Dreck] wühlen.

Die Ermittler wühlen sich durch den Dreck.

Die Dialektik von [Dreck] und Reinheit.

Das Buch beschreibt die Dialektik von Dreck und Reinheit.

Famille de mots

Noms

Dreckigkeit

Dreckspatz

Dreckloch

Dreckarbeit

Verbes

verdrecken

eindrecken

bedrecken (rare)

Adjectifs

dreckig

dreckverschmiert

dreckbraun

Apparenté

Schmutz

Matsch

Schlamm

Unrat

Mist

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in spoken German, medium in written German.

Erreurs courantes

Ich bringe den Dreck raus. → Ich bringe den Müll raus.
Dreck is dirt; Müll is trash in a bag. You don't take 'dirt' out to the curb.
Meine Hände sind voller Schmutz. → Meine Hände sind dreckig / voller Dreck.
While 'Schmutz' is okay, 'Dreck' is much more natural for dirty hands.
Die Pflanze braucht neuen Dreck. → Die Pflanze braucht neue Erde.
Plants need 'Erde' (soil), not 'Dreck' (filth).
Es gibt viele Drecke hier. → Es gibt viel Dreck hier.
Dreck is uncountable. Use 'viel' instead of 'viele'.
Der Dreck am Fenster. → Der Schmutz am Fenster.
Windows usually have 'Schmutz' (smudges/dust), not 'Dreck' (mud/filth).

Astuces

Cleaning context

When cleaning, use 'den Dreck wegmachen' for the physical act and 'saubermachen' for the overall task.

Garden vs. Floor

Soil in a pot is 'Erde'. Soil on your carpet is 'Dreck'. Context defines the word choice.

Insults

Calling a person 'Dreck' is very offensive. Calling their work 'Dreck' is harsh but common in arguments.

Weather talk

Use 'Dreckswetter' when it's raining and muddy. It makes you sound very native and relatable.

Gender

Always remember 'der Dreck' is masculine. This affects the adjectives: 'vieler Dreck' (wrong) vs 'viel Dreck' (right).

Yiddish Link

If you know the English word 'dreck', you already know the figurative meaning of the German word!

Fast Speech

In fast speech, 'den Dreck' often sounds like 'n Dreck'. 'Das geht dich 'n Dreck an!' (None of your business).

Stecken

The 'Stecken' in 'Dreck am Stecken' refers to a walking stick. Imagine mud sticking to the bottom of a traveler's staff.

Bike cleaning

After a bike ride, you talk about the 'Straßendreck' (road grime) on your frame.

Politeness

If you are a guest, never say 'Hier ist Dreck'. Say 'Hier ist ein bisschen Staub' to be more polite.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'DRECK-less' room being perfectly clean. If there is 'Dreck', you need a 'DECK' (floor) brush.

Association visuelle

Imagine a pair of hiking boots covered in thick, brown mud (Dreck) standing on a white carpet.

Word Web

Schmutz Schlamm Boden Putzen Müll Mist dreckig Wetter

Défi

Try to find three things in your house that have 'Dreck' on them and name them in German (e.g., 'Dreck auf dem Fensterbrett').

Origine du mot

From Middle High German 'drec' and Old High German 'trech'. It is related to the Old Norse 'threkkr'.

Sens originel : Excrement, mud, or filth.

Germanic

Contexte culturel

Be careful using 'Dreck' to describe people; it is a very strong insult. In professional environments, stick to 'Schmutz' or 'Verunreinigung'.

The English word 'dreck' is usually used for cultural trash (bad movies/books), whereas the German 'Dreck' is much more common for physical mud and dirt.

The phrase 'Dreck am Stecken' is a staple in German crime novels. Bertholt Brecht used the imagery of filth and 'Dreck' to describe the conditions of the poor. Modern German punk bands often use 'Dreck' in their lyrics to sound rebellious.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Gardening

Dreck unter den Nägeln
Erde und Dreck
den Dreck abwaschen
im Dreck graben

Household cleaning

Dreck auf dem Boden
den Dreck aufsaugen
klebriger Dreck
den Dreck wegwischen

Driving/Cars

Dreck am Auto
Dreck von der Straße
Dreckschleuder
das Auto ist voller Dreck

Arguments

Lass den Dreck!
Kümmer dich um deinen Dreck!
Erzähl keinen Dreck!
Dreck am Stecken

Weather

Dreckswetter
Matsch und Dreck
Regen und Dreck
durch den Dreck laufen

Amorces de conversation

"Hast du gesehen, wie viel Dreck der Sturm gestern auf die Straße geweht hat?"

"Warum ist in dieser Stadt eigentlich so viel Hundedreck auf den Gehwegen?"

"Glaubst du, dass dieser Politiker wirklich Dreck am Stecken hat?"

"Wie machst du den hartnäckigen Dreck in deiner Küche am besten weg?"

"Findest du es auch schlimm, wenn Kinder nie im Dreck spielen dürfen?"

Sujets d'écriture

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du dich so richtig dreckig gefühlt hast (körperlich oder moralisch).

Warum ist Sauberkeit in manchen Kulturen wichtiger als der Umgang mit 'Dreck'?

Schreibe über eine alte Erinnerung, in der du als Kind im Dreck gespielt hast.

Was ist für dich der schlimmste 'Dreck' in unserer heutigen Gesellschaft?

Sollte man immer versuchen, den 'Dreck am Stecken' anderer Leute aufzudecken?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is not a 'curse' word like in English, but it can be used in insults. It is common but informal. In a job interview, avoid it.

No, use 'Erde'. If you say 'Dreck', you imply the soil is a nuisance or making things messy.

The plural is 'Drecke', but it is almost never used. Germans treat it as an uncountable mass noun.

The adjective is 'dreckig'. For example: 'Mein Auto ist dreckig.'

It means someone has done something wrong in the past that they are trying to hide. Like 'skeletons in the closet'.

Mostly, but 'Dreck' is stronger. You'd find 'Schmutz' on a lens, but 'Dreck' on a tractor.

Yes, it is very common to say 'Der Film war Dreck' to mean it was terrible.

It's a 'dirt sparrow'—a cute name for a child who got dirty playing outside.

It is very informal and slightly vulgar. Use it only with friends.

It is a sharp, short 'k' sound. There is no 'ch' sound involved.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes