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B1 noun #3,500 よく出る 11分で読める

die Abfälle

上位3,500

練習する例文メモとヒント die Abfälle 30秒で

解説 die Abfälle in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'Abfälle' means waste or trash. You might see it on bins or signs. It is important to know that Germans take trash very seriously. You will see different colored bins for different types of waste. 'Abfälle' is the plural, and 'Abfall' is the singular. At this stage, just focus on the basic idea: things you throw away. You might hear 'Bioabfälle' for food scraps or 'Papierabfälle' for paper. Simple sentences like 'Das sind Abfälle' (Those are waste) or 'Wo sind die Abfälle?' (Where is the waste?) are enough. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just recognize the word when you see it on a recycling bin in a park or at a train station. It's a useful word for basic daily life in Germany.

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At the A2 level, you should start using 'die Abfälle' in simple sentences about your daily routine or the environment. You should understand that it is plural. You can use it to describe what you do at home: 'Ich trenne die Abfälle' (I separate the waste). You will also start encountering compound words like 'Küchenabfälle' (kitchen waste) or 'Gartenabfälle' (garden waste). You should be able to ask questions about where to put specific items: 'Wohin kommen diese Abfälle?' (Where does this waste go?). At this level, you are beginning to see the cultural importance of waste management in Germany. You might also learn that 'Abfall' comes from 'abfallen' (to fall off). This helps you remember that it refers to things that are left over from a process. Start practicing the plural form 'Abfälle' and the dative plural 'Abfällen' in basic prepositional phrases like 'mit den Abfällen'.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'die Abfälle' more precisely. You should distinguish it from 'Müll' (the more common, everyday word). 'Abfälle' is the term used in official contexts, news reports, and environmental discussions. You should be able to talk about 'Abfallvermeidung' (avoiding waste) and 'Abfallentsorgung' (waste disposal). You will use the word in the context of sustainability and environmental protection, which are common topics in B1 exams. You should also be comfortable with the dative plural: 'Wir müssen verantwortungsbewusst mit unseren Abfällen umgehen.' You can describe different categories of waste using adjectives like 'organisch', 'giftig', or 'recycelbar'. At this level, you should also understand that 'Abfall' can mean a 'drop' or 'decrease' in other contexts, like 'Spannungsabfall' (voltage drop) or 'Leistungsabfall' (decrease in performance), though the 'waste' meaning remains the most common.

At the B2 level, your use of 'die Abfälle' should be quite sophisticated. You will use it to discuss industrial processes, environmental legislation, and global ecological challenges. You should be familiar with terms like 'Sondermüll' (hazardous waste), 'radioaktive Abfälle' (radioactive waste), and 'Gewerbeabfälle' (commercial waste). You will use the word in debates about the 'Kreislaufwirtschaft' (circular economy) and the 'Verursacherprinzip' (the polluter pays principle). Your grammar should be accurate, including the use of 'Abfälle' in the genitive case: 'Die Entsorgung dieser radioaktiven Abfälle ist extrem teuer.' You should also be able to use more formal verbs like 'deponieren' (to landfill), 'verwerten' (to utilize/recycle), or 'beseitigen' (to eliminate/dispose of). At B2, you are expected to understand the nuances between different types of waste and the legal frameworks surrounding them in Germany and the EU.

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At the C1 level, 'die Abfälle' is a word you use fluently in academic and professional settings. You might discuss the 'Abfallhierarchie' (waste hierarchy) or 'integrierte Abfallwirtschaft' (integrated waste management). You understand the technical distinctions between 'Abfall zur Verwertung' (waste for recovery) and 'Abfall zur Beseitigung' (waste for disposal). You can use the word metaphorically or in highly specialized contexts, such as 'Datenabfälle' (data waste/redundant data) in information technology. Your vocabulary around this topic is extensive, including synonyms like 'Ausschuss', 'Rückstände', and 'Überreste', and you know exactly when to use each based on the register and specific material being discussed. You can analyze complex texts about environmental policy where 'Abfälle' is a central theme, and you can write detailed reports or essays using the term with perfect grammatical precision and stylistic variety.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'die Abfälle' and its entire lexical field. You can engage in deep philosophical or socio-economic discussions about waste as a byproduct of capitalist consumption. You are aware of the historical evolution of waste management in Germany and can use the term in legal, scientific, and literary contexts with ease. You might explore the concept of 'Abfälle' in art (found objects) or philosophy (the discarded). You can effortlessly switch between the highly technical language of 'Abfallrecht' (waste law) and the colloquial nuances of 'Müll'. You understand the most obscure compound words and can even coin new ones if the context requires it. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic but deeply cultural, recognizing how the management of 'Abfälle' reflects societal values regarding order, responsibility, and the environment.

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練習する例文メモとヒント

die Abfälle 30秒で

Abfälle refers to waste, trash, or discarded materials in a plural, often technical or official sense.
It is derived from the verb 'abfallen', meaning 'to fall off' or 'to drop away'.
In Germany, it is a key term for the highly organized recycling and waste management system.
Common categories include Bioabfälle (organic), Plastikabfälle (plastic), and Sondermüll (hazardous waste).

The German noun die Abfälle is the plural form of der Abfall. At its core, it refers to unwanted or unusable materials that are discarded after a process or after their primary use has ended. While English speakers might use 'trash', 'garbage', or 'rubbish' interchangeably, in German, Abfälle often carries a slightly more technical or categorical connotation, frequently appearing in contexts involving environmental policy, waste management, and industrial processes. It literally translates to 'the things that fall away,' derived from the verb abfallen (to fall off or drop away).

Environmental Context: Used when discussing the ecological impact of discarded materials, such as plastic in the ocean or chemical residues from factories.
Household Usage: Refers to the different categories of waste separated at home, like organic scraps (Bioabfälle) or packaging (Verpackungsabfälle).
Industrial Usage: Describes byproducts of manufacturing that cannot be used in the final product, such as metal shavings or toxic runoff.

Die Fabrik leitet ihre chemischen Abfälle illegal in den Fluss.

In everyday conversation, you will encounter this word most frequently when dealing with the famous German waste separation system. You don't just throw everything into one bin; you separate your Abfälle. Understanding this word is essential for living in Germany, as 'Abfallentsorgung' (waste disposal) is a highly regulated and culturally significant part of daily life. Whether you are talking about 'Küchenabfälle' (kitchen scraps) or 'Sondermüll' (hazardous waste), the root remains grounded in the idea of what is left over and no longer needed.

Wir müssen die organischen Abfälle in die braune Tonne werfen.

Historically, the term has evolved from a physical description of parts falling off during a crafting process to a broader societal concern about sustainability. In a modern circular economy, Germans try to view Abfälle not just as junk, but as potential 'Wertstoffe' (recyclables). This shift in perspective is reflected in how the word is used in political discourse, focusing on 'Abfallvermeidung' (waste avoidance) rather than just disposal.

Plastik ist einer der problematischsten Abfälle unserer Zeit.

Categorization: Abfälle is almost always plural when referring to general waste types. If you refer to a single piece of trash, you might say 'ein Stück Abfall', but 'die Abfälle' covers the collective mass.

Die radioaktiven Abfälle müssen sicher gelagert werden.

Jedes Jahr produzieren wir Tonnen von elektronischen Abfällen.

Using die Abfälle correctly requires an understanding of its plural nature and its role as a direct object or subject in sentences. Since it is a noun, it follows standard German capitalization rules. When acting as the subject, it takes plural verb forms. For example: 'Die Abfälle liegen auf der Straße' (The waste is lying on the street). When it is the object of an action, such as collecting or disposing, it remains in the accusative plural form, which is also 'Abfälle'.

Wir trennen unsere Abfälle sorgfältig nach Glas, Papier und Plastik.

With Adjectives: Adjectives describing waste must agree with the plural noun. Examples: 'giftige Abfälle' (toxic waste), 'organische Abfälle' (organic waste), 'städtische Abfälle' (municipal waste).

In more formal or administrative German, you will find Abfälle used in compound nouns that describe specific management actions. 'Abfallentsorgung' (waste disposal), 'Abfallverwertung' (waste recycling), and 'Abfallwirtschaft' (waste management industry) are common terms in government documents and news reports. If you are writing an essay about the environment, using these compounds will make your German sound much more sophisticated and precise.

Die Stadt hat neue Regeln für die Entsorgung von Abfällen eingeführt.

When talking about household chores, you might use 'Abfälle' to sound a bit more formal than 'Müll'. For instance, telling a child to take out the trash is usually 'Bring den Müll raus'. However, if you are discussing the volume of waste your household produces over a month, you would likely say: 'Unsere monatlichen Abfälle haben sich reduziert.' This highlights the difference between trash as a daily nuisance and waste as a measurable quantity.

Können diese Abfälle recycelt werden oder müssen sie verbrannt werden?

Sentence Structure Tip: Pair 'Abfälle' with verbs like 'vermeiden' (avoid), 'entsorgen' (dispose), 'trennen' (separate), and 'produzieren' (produce) for natural-sounding sentences.

Die Vermeidung von Abfällen ist besser als deren Recycling.

In diesem Behälter sammeln wir nur metallische Abfälle.

You will encounter the word die Abfälle in several specific environments in German-speaking countries. One of the most common places is at a 'Wertstoffhof' (recycling center). Here, large signs will direct you to different containers for 'Holzabfälle' (wood waste), 'Grünabfälle' (garden waste), or 'Bauabfälle' (construction debris). In this setting, the word is used to categorize materials so they can be processed correctly. It is a functional, practical word that helps maintain the order of the recycling system.

Bitte werfen Sie keine gefährlichen Abfälle in den Hausmüll.

At the Supermarket: You might see signs about 'Verpackungsabfälle' near the entrance where customers can leave excess cardboard and plastic packaging.
In the News: News reports often discuss 'Atommüll' but will use 'radioaktive Abfälle' when providing detailed scientific or political explanations about storage sites like Gorleben.

Another place you'll hear this is in educational settings. German schools place a heavy emphasis on environmental education. Children are taught from a young age about 'Abfalltrennung' (waste separation). Teachers will use the word Abfälle to describe the materials used in science experiments or the leftovers from lunch that need to be composted. This embeds the word into the vocabulary of every German citizen as part of their civic duty.

In der Schule lernen wir, wie man Abfälle richtig sortiert.

In a professional context, if you work in manufacturing, construction, or chemicals, Abfälle is a daily reality. Safety briefings will cover the handling of 'gefährliche Abfälle' (hazardous waste). Companies must keep strict records of the 'Abfallmengen' (amounts of waste) they produce to comply with EU and German regulations. Thus, the word bridges the gap between a simple household chore and a massive industrial and regulatory framework.

Der LKW transportiert industrielle Abfälle zur Deponie.

In Documentaries: Environmental documentaries frequently use 'Abfälle' when showing the impact of human consumption on nature, particularly 'Plastikabfälle' in the oceans.

Wissenschaftler untersuchen die Auswirkungen von Abfällen auf das Ökosystem.

Restaurants versuchen, ihre Abfälle durch bessere Planung zu minimieren.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing Abfälle with Müll. While they often refer to the same physical items, Müll is the more colloquial, everyday term for trash. You take the Müll out to the bin. Abfälle is used when you are categorizing that trash or speaking about it in a more technical, ecological, or official sense. Calling your kitchen trash 'Abfälle' isn't wrong, but it sounds slightly like you're writing a report for the Ministry of the Environment.

Singular vs. Plural: Learners often try to use 'der Abfall' when they mean waste in general. While 'der Abfall' exists, 'die Abfälle' is much more common when talking about different types or a general collection of waste. Use the plural for the general concept.
Confusing with 'Schrott': 'Schrott' refers specifically to metal scrap or something that is broken and useless (like a 'Schrottauto'). 'Abfälle' is the broader category for all types of discarded material.

Falsch: Ich habe viel Abfälle in meiner Tasche. (Better: Ich habe viel Müll...)

Another common error involves the dative plural. In German, plural nouns in the dative case usually add an '-n' if they don't already have one. Therefore, after 'mit' or 'zu', you must say 'mit den Abfällen'. Forgetting this '-n' is a classic B1-level mistake. Additionally, be careful with the pronunciation. The 'ä' is a long open sound, and the 'f' is sharp. Mispronouncing it as 'Abfalle' (which isn't a word but sounds like 'fallen') can lead to confusion.

Richtig: Wir müssen vorsichtig mit diesen Abfällen umgehen.

Finally, remember that 'Abfall' (singular) can mean 'drop' or 'decline' in statistics or physics. If you see 'ein Abfall der Temperatur', it means a drop in temperature, not 'trash of the temperature'. This dual meaning is a common source of confusion for intermediate learners. Always look at the surrounding words to determine if the speaker is talking about garbage or a numerical decrease.

Der Abfall des Luftdrucks kündigt ein Gewitter an. (Here: drop/decrease)

Compound Confusion: Sometimes people say 'Müllabfälle'. This is redundant. Just use 'Abfälle' or 'Müll'.

Vermeiden Sie Redundanz: Sagen Sie einfach Abfälle statt 'Müllabfälle'.

Das Abwasser wird in der Kläranlage gereinigt.

In German, there are many ways to describe things we throw away, and choosing the right one depends on the context and the material. Abfälle is the umbrella term, but let's look at more specific alternatives. Müll is the most common synonym, used for general household garbage. Unrat is a more old-fashioned or literary term for filth or rubbish, often used to describe something that makes a place look messy or neglected.

Müll vs. Abfälle: Müll is everyday/informal; Abfälle is formal/technical. You pay 'Müllgebühren' but study 'Abfallwirtschaft'.
Wertstoffe: Literally 'value materials'. This is what Germans call recyclables (glass, paper, certain plastics) to emphasize that they aren't just 'Abfälle' but resources.
Schrott: Specifically metal scrap. If you have an old, broken car, it's 'Schrott', not just 'Abfälle'.

Wir sollten Abfälle als potenzielle Wertstoffe betrachten.

For specific types of waste, German uses compounds. Restmüll refers to the non-recyclable waste that goes in the black bin. Sondermüll is hazardous waste like batteries or chemicals. Biomüll or Bioabfälle refers to compostable organic matter. If you are talking about the rubble from a demolished building, you use Bauschutt. Each of these terms is more precise than just saying Abfälle.

Gefährliche Abfälle gehören in den Sondermüll.

If you are looking for a more formal synonym in a business context, Rückstände (residues) or Überreste (remains) might be appropriate. For example, 'chemische Rückstände' sounds more professional than 'chemische Abfälle' in a scientific paper. In the world of production, Ausschuss refers to defective products that are discarded. Knowing these nuances helps you navigate different social and professional spheres in Germany.

Die Produktion hatte diesen Monat viel Ausschuss wegen technischer Fehler.

Sperrmüll: Bulky waste like old sofas or mattresses that don't fit in a normal bin. This is a very specific sub-category of Abfälle.

Nächste Woche wird der Sperrmüll in unserer Straße abgeholt.

Wir müssen die Menge der täglichen Abfälle reduzieren.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The word originally had no negative connotation; it was simply a neutral description of leftovers. It only became associated with 'garbage' and 'pollution' as society became more industrialized.

発音ガイド

UK /diː ˈapfɛlə/

US /di ˈɑpfɛlə/

The primary stress is on the first syllable: AB-fäl-le.

韻が合う語

Bälle Fälle Hölle (slant) Quelle Schwelle Welle Zelle Ställe

よくある間違い

Pronouncing the 'pf' as just 'f' (saying 'Afälle' instead of 'Abfälle').
Making the 'ä' sound like 'a' (saying 'Abfalle').
Forgetting the 'e' at the end, making it sound like the singular 'Abfall'.
Pronouncing the 'v' sound instead of 'f' (though rare).
Stressing the second syllable (ab-FÄL-le).

難易度

読解 3/5

Common in news and on signs. Easy to recognize but plural forms can be tricky.

ライティング 4/5

Requires knowledge of plural dative and compound word rules.

スピーキング 3/5

The 'pf' sound is the main challenge for English speakers.

リスニング 3/5

Easily confused with 'Müll' or other technical terms if spoken fast.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

fallen ab der Müll die Tonne trennen

次に学ぶ

entsorgen recyceln die Umwelt der Wertstoff nachhaltig

上級

die Kreislaufwirtschaft das Abfallrecht die Deponie die Verbrennungsanlage die Rückstände

知っておくべき文法

Plural Nouns in Dative

Wir arbeiten mit den Abfällen (Dative adds -n).

Compound Nouns (Fugen-s)

Abfall-s-entsorgung (The 's' connects the two nouns).

Genitive Plural with 'von'

Die Menge von Abfällen (Alternative to genitive case).

Adjective Ending (Plural)

Gefährliche Abfälle (No article: -e ending).

Separable Verbs with Abfall

Ich bringe die Abfälle weg (wegbringen).

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レベル別の例文

Wo sind die Abfälle?

Where is the waste?

Plural subject with the verb 'sein'.

Das sind organische Abfälle.

That is organic waste.

Plural demonstrative 'das sind'.

Wir trennen die Abfälle.

We separate the waste.

Direct object in the accusative case.

Bring bitte die Abfälle weg.

Please take the waste away.

Imperative sentence with separable verb 'wegbringen'.

Hier gibt es viele Abfälle.

There is a lot of waste here.

Direct object after 'es gibt'.

Die Abfälle kommen in die Tonne.

The waste goes into the bin.

Plural subject with 'kommen'.

Keine Abfälle hier wegwerfen!

Do not throw waste here!

Negative command using 'keine'.

Papier ist kein Abfall.

Paper is not waste.

Singular form 'Abfall' with negative article 'kein'.

In Deutschland trennt man die Abfälle sehr genau.

In Germany, people separate waste very precisely.

Use of the impersonal 'man'.

Küchenabfälle gehören in die braune Tonne.

Kitchen waste belongs in the brown bin.

Compound noun 'Küchenabfälle'.

Wir produzieren zu viele Abfälle.

We produce too much waste.

Plural noun with 'zu viele'.

Kann man diese Abfälle recyceln?

Can one recycle this waste?

Modal verb 'können' with passive-like meaning.

Die Stadt sammelt die Abfälle jeden Dienstag.

The city collects the waste every Tuesday.

Accusative plural object.

Plastikabfälle sind schlecht für die Umwelt.

Plastic waste is bad for the environment.

Compound noun 'Plastikabfälle' as subject.

Ich werfe die Abfälle in den Container.

I throw the waste into the container.

Preposition 'in' with accusative for movement.

Es gibt spezielle Abfälle für Glas.

There is special waste for glass.

Adjective 'spezielle' agreeing with plural noun.

Die Vermeidung von Abfällen ist ein wichtiges Thema.

The avoidance of waste is an important topic.

Genitive plural 'von Abfällen'.

Gefährliche Abfälle müssen separat entsorgt werden.

Hazardous waste must be disposed of separately.

Passive voice with modal verb 'müssen'.

Die Fabrik reduziert ihre industriellen Abfälle.

The factory is reducing its industrial waste.

Adjective 'industriellen' in accusative plural.

Wir sollten weniger Abfälle im Alltag produzieren.

We should produce less waste in everyday life.

Subjunctive II 'sollten' for advice.

Der Umgang mit radioaktiven Abfällen ist schwierig.

Dealing with radioactive waste is difficult.

Dative plural 'Abfällen' after 'mit'.

Die Abfälle werden in der Anlage verbrannt.

The waste is being burned in the plant.

Passive voice 'werden verbrannt'.

Es gibt viele Gesetze zur Entsorgung von Abfällen.

There are many laws regarding the disposal of waste.

Prepositional phrase with 'von'.

Manche Abfälle können wiederverwendet werden.

Some waste can be reused.

Indefinite pronoun 'manche' with plural noun.

Die Menge der städtischen Abfälle nimmt jährlich zu.

The amount of municipal waste increases annually.

Genitive plural 'der städtischen Abfälle'.

Unternehmen sind für ihre eigenen Abfälle verantwortlich.

Companies are responsible for their own waste.

Prepositional object with 'für'.

Die illegale Entsorgung von Abfällen wird streng bestraft.

The illegal disposal of waste is strictly punished.

Passive voice with 'wird bestraft'.

Elektronische Abfälle enthalten oft wertvolle Metalle.

Electronic waste often contains valuable metals.

Plural subject with the verb 'enthalten'.

Die Abfallwirtschaft ist ein bedeutender Wirtschaftszweig.

Waste management is a significant branch of the economy.

Compound noun 'Abfallwirtschaft'.

Wir müssen die Entstehung von Abfällen bereits beim Design verhindern.

We must prevent the creation of waste as early as the design stage.

Genitive construction 'Entstehung von Abfällen'.

Durch das Recycling von Abfällen sparen wir Ressourcen.

By recycling waste, we save resources.

Preposition 'durch' followed by a gerund-like construction.

Die Lagerung hochradioaktiver Abfälle bleibt ein Problem.

The storage of highly radioactive waste remains a problem.

Genitive plural with a long adjective.

Die ökologische Bilanz verbessert sich durch die Reduktion chemischer Abfälle.

The ecological balance improves through the reduction of chemical waste.

Genitive plural 'chemischer Abfälle' without an article.

Die Richtlinie regelt den grenzüberschreitenden Transport von Abfällen.

The directive regulates the cross-border transport of waste.

Technical term 'grenzüberschreitender Transport'.

Es bedarf innovativer Konzepte zur Verwertung von Abfällen.

Innovative concepts for the utilization of waste are needed.

Verb 'bedürfen' with genitive object.

Die Abfälle der Konsumgesellschaft belasten die Meere massiv.

The waste of the consumer society heavily pollutes the oceans.

Genitive attribute 'der Konsumgesellschaft'.

Eine effiziente Sortierung der Abfälle ist die Basis für hochwertiges Recycling.

Efficient sorting of waste is the basis for high-quality recycling.

Genitive plural 'der Abfälle'.

Die thermische Verwertung von Abfällen erzeugt Fernwärme.

The thermal recovery of waste generates district heating.

Technical term 'thermische Verwertung'.

Kritiker bemängeln die unzureichende Dokumentation der Abfälle.

Critics complain about the insufficient documentation of waste.

Accusative object with adjective 'unzureichende'.

In der Kreislaufwirtschaft gibt es idealerweise keine Abfälle mehr.

In a circular economy, there is ideally no more waste.

Negative plural 'keine Abfälle'.

Die Dekonstruktion des Begriffs 'Abfälle' offenbart gesellschaftliche Wertvorstellungen.

The deconstruction of the term 'waste' reveals societal values.

Abstract usage of the noun.

Abfälle sind das unbeabsichtigte Monument unserer Epoche.

Waste is the unintended monument of our era.

Metaphorical usage.

Die Entsorgungsproblematik toxischer Abfälle ist völkerrechtlich relevant.

The disposal problem of toxic waste is relevant under international law.

Complex compound 'Entsorgungsproblematik'.

Oftmals werden Abfälle lediglich in andere Weltregionen exportiert.

Often, waste is merely exported to other regions of the world.

Passive voice with adverb 'lediglich'.

Die Akkumulation von Abfällen in der Biosphäre erreicht kritische Grenzwerte.

The accumulation of waste in the biosphere is reaching critical limits.

Scientific register.

Kulturelle Abfälle bieten Archäologen wertvolle Einblicke in vergangene Zivilisationen.

Cultural waste provides archaeologists with valuable insights into past civilizations.

Academic usage in a specific field.

Die moralische Verantwortung für die Abfälle der Zukunft lastet auf uns.

The moral responsibility for the waste of the future rests on us.

Philosophical/Ethical context.

Es gilt, die Abfälle als stoffliche Ressourcen der Zukunft zu begreifen.

It is necessary to understand waste as the material resources of the future.

Infinitive construction 'Es gilt... zu begreifen'.

よく使う組み合わせ

radioaktive Abfälle

organische Abfälle

Abfälle entsorgen

Abfälle vermeiden

industrielle Abfälle

giftige Abfälle

Abfälle sortieren

elektronische Abfälle

flüssige Abfälle

städtische Abfälle

よく使うフレーズ

Abfälle trennen

— To separate waste into different categories (paper, plastic, etc.). This is a core part of German culture.

In diesem Haushalt trennen wir alle unsere Abfälle konsequent.

Abfälle wegbringen

— To take the trash out to the bins or a recycling center.

Kannst du bitte die Abfälle wegbringen? Die Tonne ist voll.

Abfälle produzieren

— To generate or create waste through consumption or production.

Wir produzieren heutzutage viel mehr Abfälle als früher.

Gefährliche Abfälle

— Hazardous waste that requires special handling due to toxicity or other risks.

Gefährliche Abfälle müssen an speziellen Sammelstellen abgegeben werden.

Abfälle recyceln

— To process waste so that the materials can be used again.

Es ist wichtig, so viele Abfälle wie möglich zu recyceln.

Abfälle deponieren

— To put waste in a landfill or storage site.

Früher wurden fast alle Abfälle einfach deponiert.

Abfälle verbrennen

— To incinerate waste, often to generate energy.

In dieser Anlage werden Abfälle verbrannt, um Strom zu erzeugen.

Abfälle sammeln

— To collect waste, either individually or as a municipal service.

Die Stadt sammelt die Abfälle einmal pro Woche ein.

Abfälle hinterlassen

— To leave waste behind, often used in the context of littering in nature.

Bitte hinterlassen Sie keine Abfälle im Wald.

Abfälle reduzieren

— To decrease the amount of waste generated.

Wir versuchen, unsere täglichen Abfälle durch bewussten Konsum zu reduzieren.

よく混同される語

die Abfälle vs der Müll

Müll is the everyday word. Abfälle is more formal/technical.

die Abfälle vs der Schrott

Schrott is only for metal. Abfälle is for all materials.

die Abfälle vs der Abfall (Singular)

Singular can mean 'trash' but also 'a drop/decrease' in statistics.

慣用句と表現

"Ein Abfallprodukt sein"

— To be a byproduct; something that was not the main goal but happened anyway. Can be used for ideas or results.

Diese neue Entdeckung war eigentlich nur ein Abfallprodukt eines anderen Experiments.

neutral

"In den Abfall werfen"

— To throw away (literally), but often used figuratively to mean rejecting an idea or plan as worthless.

Diese Strategie können wir direkt in den Abfall werfen; sie funktioniert nicht.

neutral/informal

"Reif für den Abfall"

— Ready for the trash; something that is completely broken, old, or useless.

Dieses alte Sofa ist reif für den Abfall.

informal

"Geistiger Abfall"

— Mental waste; used to describe stupid ideas, bad television, or nonsense talk.

Was dieser Politiker sagt, ist reiner geistiger Abfall.

derogatory

"Abfall der Gesellschaft"

— Scum of society; a very harsh and derogatory way to describe people deemed worthless. Use with extreme caution.

Solche Kriminellen werden oft als Abfall der Gesellschaft bezeichnet.

very derogatory

"Sondermüll im Kopf haben"

— To have 'hazardous waste' in one's head; to have very bad, confused, or toxic thoughts.

Manchmal habe ich das Gefühl, er hat nur Sondermüll im Kopf.

informal/slang

"Abfall der Geschichte"

— The trash heap of history; where failed ideologies or forgotten people end up.

Diese Diktatur landete schließlich auf dem Abfall der Geschichte.

literary/political

"Zum Abfall gehören"

— To belong in the trash; to be worthless.

Diese alten Theorien gehören längst zum Abfall.

neutral

"Abfall vermeiden statt beseitigen"

— A common environmental slogan: prevention is better than cure.

Unser Motto in der Firma ist: Abfall vermeiden statt beseitigen.

formal

"Kein Abfall, kein Problem"

— No waste, no problem; a simple way to express zero-waste goals.

Wenn wir keine Abfälle produzieren, haben wir auch kein Entsorgungsproblem.

informal

間違えやすい

die Abfälle vs Abwasser

Both start with 'Ab-' and relate to waste.

Abwasser is liquid waste (wastewater). Abfälle are solid waste.

Das Abwasser fließt in die Kanalisation.

die Abfälle vs Ausschuss

Both refer to things thrown away.

Ausschuss is specifically defective products from a factory. Abfälle is general waste.

Die Firma hat 5% Ausschuss bei der Produktion.

die Abfälle vs Unrat

Both mean trash.

Unrat is more about filth/mess in a specific location. Abfälle is about the material itself.

Der Sturm hat viel Unrat in den Garten geweht.

die Abfälle vs Rückstände

Both are leftovers.

Rückstände are usually chemical or microscopic residues. Abfälle are macroscopic items.

Es gibt Pestizid-Rückstände auf dem Apfel.

die Abfälle vs Überreste

Both are remains.

Überreste usually implies something left over from the past or a meal. Abfälle implies something to be discarded.

Die Überreste der Burg sind heute eine Ruine.

文型パターン

Das sind [Adjektiv] Abfälle.

Das sind grüne Abfälle.

Ich werfe die Abfälle in die [Farbe] Tonne.

Ich werfe die Abfälle in die blaue Tonne.

Wir müssen die [Typ] Abfälle trennen.

Wir müssen die organischen Abfälle trennen.

Die Entsorgung von Abfällen ist [Adjektiv].

Die Entsorgung von Abfällen ist teuer.

Aufgrund der [Substantiv] entstehen viele Abfälle.

Aufgrund der Produktion entstehen viele Abfälle.

Es ist wichtig, die Menge der Abfälle zu [Verb].

Es ist wichtig, die Menge der Abfälle zu reduzieren.

Die Problematik der [Adjektiv] Abfälle erfordert [Substantiv].

Die Problematik der toxischen Abfälle erfordert neue Gesetze.

Inwiefern lassen sich Abfälle als [Substantiv] umdeuten?

Inwiefern lassen sich Abfälle als Ressourcen umdeuten?

語族

名詞

der Abfall (singular)

der Abfalleimer (trash can)

die Abfallentsorgung (waste disposal)

die Abfallwirtschaft (waste management)

der Abfallhaufen (rubbish heap)

das Abfallprodukt (byproduct)

動詞

abfallen (to fall off, to decrease)

abfällig (adjective form: disparaging/derogatory)

verabfallen (rarely used)

形容詞

abfällig (disparaging)

abfallend (sloping/falling away)

abfallfrei (waste-free)

使い方

frequency

Very high in administrative, environmental, and educational contexts.

よくある間違い

Ich habe den Abfälle weggeworfen. → Ich habe die Abfälle weggeworfen.
Abfälle is plural, so it needs the plural article 'die'.
Wir sprechen mit die Abfälle. → Wir sprechen von den Abfällen.
After 'von' or 'mit', you need the dative plural: 'den Abfällen'.
Das ist ein Zeitabfall. → Das ist eine Zeitverschwendung.
You cannot use 'Abfall' for 'waste of time'. Use 'Verschwendung'.
Die Abfallensorgung ist wichtig. → Die Abfallentsorgung ist wichtig.
The correct compound word is 'Abfallentsorgung' (with a 't').
Ich habe viel Abfalle. → Ich habe viel Abfall / viele Abfälle.
The plural is 'Abfälle' (with Umlaut), not 'Abfalle'.

ヒント

Dative Plural Rule

Always add an '-n' to 'Abfälle' when it follows a dative preposition like 'mit'. 'Mit den Abfällen' is correct.

Sort Carefully

In Germany, sorting your 'Abfälle' is a serious matter. If you put plastic in the paper bin, your neighbors might correct you!

Compound Power

You can combine almost any material with '-abfälle' to be more specific, e.g., 'Holzabfälle', 'Metallabfälle', 'Bauabfälle'.

Use 'Müll' for Household

If you are talking about taking out the trash at home, 'Müll' sounds more natural than 'Abfälle'.

Look for Signs

In public places, look for the word 'Abfälle' to find the correct recycling containers.

Essay Writing

Use 'Abfallvermeidung' (waste avoidance) and 'Abfallentsorgung' (waste disposal) in your B1/B2 writing exams.

PF Sound

If the 'pf' is too hard, focus on the 'f' sound, but try to keep a tiny 'p' at the start for authenticity.

Context Clues

If you hear 'Abfall' in a weather report, it probably means a 'drop' in pressure or temperature, not trash.

The Falling Scraps

Remember: Ab (Away) + Fälle (Fallings). Things that fall away from use.

Hazardous Labels

Always look for 'Sonderabfälle' or 'Gefährliche Abfälle' labels on chemicals; they cannot go in the regular trash.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of things that 'fall off' (ab-fallen) from your life because you don't need them anymore. They become Abfälle.

視覚的連想

Imagine a tree where the bad, rotten apples are 'falling off' (abfallen) and piling up on the ground. Those apples are the Abfälle.

Word Web

Müll Recycling Entsorgung Umwelt Tonne Bio Plastik Papier

チャレンジ

Go through your house and label three things that will soon become 'Abfälle' (e.g., an empty milk carton, a banana peel, an old newspaper).

語源

Derived from the Middle High German word 'abeval', which comes from the verb 'abevallen'. It literally means 'that which falls off' during a process, such as wood chips falling off while carving.

元の意味： Physical remnants or scraps that fall to the ground during manual labor.

Germanic (Indo-European).

文化的な背景

Avoid using 'Abfälle' to describe people, as it is extremely offensive (similar to calling someone 'trash' or 'scum').

In the US or UK, waste management is often simpler (one or two bins). The complexity of German 'Abfälle' sorting can be a culture shock for expats.

The 'Grüner Punkt' (Green Dot) symbol on packaging. The 'Abfallgesetz' (Waste Law) of Germany. Documentaries like 'Taste the Waste' about food waste.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

At home (Household chores)

Abfälle sortieren
Abfälle rausbringen
Bioabfälle sammeln
Abfallkalender prüfen

In the news (Environment)

Plastikabfälle in den Meeren
Reduktion von Abfällen
Abfallgesetz verschärfen
Globale Abfallkrise

At work (Industry/Manufacturing)

Industrielle Abfälle entsorgen
Gefahrgut und Abfälle
Abfallmanagement-Plan
Ausschuss und Abfälle

At school (Education)

Abfalltrennung lernen
Projekt zur Abfallvermeidung
Papierabfälle recyceln
Umweltbewusster Umgang mit Abfällen

At the recycling center (Wertstoffhof)

Sperrige Abfälle abgeben
Grünabfälle abladen
Elektronische Abfälle entsorgen
Abfallgebühren bezahlen

会話のきっかけ

"Wie trennt ihr in eurem Heimatland die Abfälle?"

"Findest du das deutsche System zur Abfalltrennung zu kompliziert?"

"Was tust du persönlich, um weniger Abfälle zu produzieren?"

"Glaubst du, dass wir in Zukunft eine Welt ohne Abfälle haben werden?"

"Welche Arten von Abfällen sind deiner Meinung nach am gefährlichsten?"

日記のテーマ

Beschreibe, wie du heute deine Abfälle sortiert hast. War es einfach oder schwierig?

Schreibe über ein Erlebnis, bei dem du viele Abfälle in der Natur gesehen hast. Wie hast du dich gefühlt?

Denke über deinen wöchentlichen Konsum nach. Welche Abfälle könntest du leicht vermeiden?

Stell dir vor, du bist ein Experte für Abfallwirtschaft. Welche neue Regel würdest du einführen?

Reflektiere über den Satz: 'Der Abfall von heute ist der Rohstoff von morgen.'

よくある質問

10 問

Not always, but 'die Abfälle' is the most common way to refer to waste in general. 'Der Abfall' (singular) is used for a single piece of trash or the abstract concept, but plural is preferred for categories.

'Müll' is what you say at home ('Bring den Müll raus'). 'Abfälle' is what you see on official signs and in the news ('Radioaktive Abfälle').

Yes, in technical contexts, it means a 'drop' or 'decrease', like 'Spannungsabfall' (voltage drop) or 'Leistungsabfall' (performance drop).

You can say 'gefährliche Abfälle' or 'Sondermüll'. Both are common.

These are organic wastes like food scraps, coffee grounds, and garden clippings that can be composted.

In the nominative and accusative, it is 'die Abfälle'. In the dative (after 'mit', 'zu', etc.), it is 'den Abfällen'.

Yes, technically recyclables are 'Abfälle zur Verwertung' (waste for recovery), but Germans often call them 'Wertstoffe' to sound more positive.

Close your lips for the 'p' and immediately release them into an 'f' sound. It's one quick motion.

It is a very strong insult. It means you consider them worthless. Do not use it unless you want to be extremely rude.

It is a schedule provided by the city that tells you which day each type of waste (paper, bio, rest) will be collected.

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