German word

Schmutz

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃmʊt͡s/

Meaning

  • masculine noundirt

Example

Wisch bitte den Schmutz weg.

Please wipe off the dirt.

Illustration for Schmutz (dirt)

More examples

Auf dem Besteck war noch Schmutz.

There was still dirt on the cutlery.

Core concept

A dirty coating or residue lies on a surface and can be wiped or washed away.

Common phrases

  • Schmutz im Gesicht

    dirt on the face

  • Schmutz an den Händen

    dirt on the hands

Similar words

Dreck: Grimy material clinging to hands or objects, including mud, dust, or sticky residue.
Fleck: A localized stain or color mark on fabric or a wall.
Staub: A thin layer of fine particles settled on a surface.
Verschmutzung: A state in which an environment or place has become dirty or polluted.

Definition in German

Schmutz ist ein Begriff für Stoffe oder Reste, die an Gegenständen haften und diese schmutzig erscheinen lassen.

Word origin

Schmutz comes from Middle High German smuz, continuing an older Germanic word for dirt or grime.

Usage tips

  • Schmutz is usually an uncountable masculine noun, so der Schmutz and den Schmutz refer to dirt as a substance.

Opposites

  • Sauberkeitcleanlinessnoun

Related words

  • schmutzigdirtyadjective
  • Schmutzablagerungdirt depositnoun

Word lists with this word