German word

Plastik

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈplastɪk/

Meaning

  • neuter nounplastic

Example

Ich trenne das Plastik vom Restmüll.

I separate plastic from the residual waste.

Illustration for Plastik (plastic)

More examples

Mikro-Plastik gelangt oft über Flüsse ins Meer.

Microplastic often enters the sea via rivers.

Core concept

A moldable three-dimensional form, seen either as synthetic material in everyday objects or as a sculpture in art.

Common phrases

  • Plastikmüll

    plastic waste

  • Mikro-Plastik

    microplastic

  • recyceltes Plastik

    recycled plastic

Similar words

Kunststoff: A moldable synthetic material engineered for industrial applications.
Verpackung: A wrapping or container that covers goods or protects their contents.
Plastikmüll: Plastic waste discarded by households or businesses.
Plastikflasche: A bottle made of plastic for holding drinks.

Definition in German

Plastik wird im Alltag als Bezeichnung für Gegenstände und Material aus Kunststoff verwendet; in der Bildenden Kunst bezeichnet Plastik eine dreidimensionale Skulptur.

Word origin

Plastik comes through Latin plasticus and French plastique from Greek plastikos, meaning moldable, and the word developed both material and sculpture senses.

Usage tips

  • Plastik is neuter, and its material sense is often uncountable; Kunststoff is the more formal and technical term for plastic as a material.

Other meanings

  • sculpturenoun

Opposites

  • Naturmaterialnatural materialnoun

Related words

  • Plastikmüllplastic wastenoun
  • Mikroplastikmicroplasticnoun
  • Recyclingplastikrecycled plasticnoun

Word lists with this word