German word

trocken

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtʁɔkən/

Meaning

  • adjectivedry

Example

Das trockene Handtuch liegt auf dem Bett.

The dry towel lies on the bed.

Illustration for trocken (dry)

More examples

Auf seine Frage bekam er nur eine trockene Antwort.

He got only a curt answer to his question.

Core concept

A completely drained surface: no moisture remains, and no warmth or flourish softens the expression.

Common phrases

  • trockener Boden

    dry soil

  • trockene Antwort

    curt answer

Similar words

ausgetrocknet: Thoroughly dried out, including the inside.
knochentrocken: Exceptionally dry, leaving almost no moisture behind.
staubtrocken: Intensely dry, with so little moisture that dust may be stirred up.

Definition in German

Frei von Wasser oder Feuchtigkeit; übertragen knapp oder nüchtern im Ausdruck.

Word origin

German trocken developed from Middle High German trucken or trocke and first described a lack of moisture before extending to plain expression and dry taste.

Usage tips

  • With wine, trocken means low in residual sugar, while a trockener Witz is a dry joke; context determines the sense.

Other meanings

  • curtadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Trockenmitteldrying agentnoun
  • Trockenperiodedry spellnoun

Word lists with this word