der  Putz

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/pʊts/

🧱 What exactly is "der Putz"?

The German word der Putz primarily has two meanings:

1. Building material (plaster/render): A substance (often mortar-based) applied to walls or ceilings to smooth, protect, or decorate them. This is the most common meaning in technical/craft contexts.
   Example: Der Maler trägt den neuen Putz auf die Wand auf. (The painter applies the new plaster to the wall.)
2. Cleaning (colloquial): The act of cleaning or the state of cleanliness itself, often in a domestic context.
   Example: Nach der Party war der ganze Putz umsonst. (After the party, all the cleaning was for nothing.)
   ⚠️ This meaning is rather colloquial and often used in connection with the verb putzen (to clean). Germans also talk about the Frühjahrsputz (spring cleaning).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Putz"

Putz is a masculine noun. It's mainly used in the singular, especially when referring to the building material. The plural (die Putze) is rare and usually refers to different types of plaster materials.

Declension

💡 Example Sentences

1. (Building material): Der frische Putz an der Fassade muss noch trocknen. (The fresh plaster on the facade still needs to dry.)
2. (Building material): Welchen Putz empfiehlst du für das Badezimmer? (Which plaster do you recommend for the bathroom?)
3. (Cleaning, coll.): Nach dem Umzug steht der große Putz an. (After the move, the big clean-up is due.)
4. (Cleaning, coll.): Mach nicht so einen Putz! (Don't make such a fuss / Don't stress so much about cleaning!)

🗣️ How to use "der Putz"?

Usage heavily depends on the meaning:

• As building material: Used in construction, crafts, and renovations. People talk about Innenputz (interior plaster), Außenputz (exterior render), Edelputz (decorative plaster), Rauputz (textured plaster), etc. The related verb is verputzen or putzen (in the sense of plastering walls).
• As cleaning: Rather colloquial. Often in fixed phrases like Frühjahrsputz (spring cleaning) or expressions like den Putz machen (to do the cleaning). The verb for this is putzen (to clean, to polish).

There's little risk of confusion, as the context is usually clear. Nobody would mistake house cleaning for mortar.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Putz"

Article Mnemonic: Imagine a strong man (der Mann) who forcefully puts (Putz) the heavy plaster (der Putz) on the wall.

Meaning Mnemonic: Putz (plaster) makes walls smooth and neat, just like putzen (cleaning) makes the house neat. It creates a clean surface, whether on a wall or a floor.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words

• Putze (die): Feminine noun, can mean a female plasterer or colloquially a cleaning lady (Putzfrau).
• Putsch (der): Means a coup or putsch. Sounds similar but is completely unrelated.

😂 A little Joke

Der Bauherr fragt den Lehrling: "Na, wie gefällt dir das Verputzen?"
Sagt der Lehrling: "An sich ganz gut, aber der Putz hält so schlecht an der Decke, wenn ich ihn von unten werfe!"

Translation:
The site owner asks the apprentice: "Well, how do you like plastering?"
The apprentice says: "It's quite alright, but the plaster doesn't stick well to the ceiling when I throw it from below!"

📜 Poem about "Putz"

Der Maurer rührt den Putz geschwind,
für Wand und Decke, jedes Kind
weiß, glatt muss sie sein, rein und klar,
dank Putz wird's schön, Jahr für Jahr.

Und ist die Arbeit dann getan,
fängt oft der andre Putz erst an.
Mit Lappen, Wasser, Seife fein,
muss auch die Wohnung sauber sein.

Translation:
The mason mixes the plaster fast,
for wall and ceiling, built to last.
Every child knows, smooth it must be, pure and bright,
thanks to plaster, it looks lovely, year by year's light.

And when this work is finally done,
the other kind of cleaning's just begun.
With rag and water, soap so fine,
the home must also cleanly shine.

❓ Riddle

Ich kleide Wände, mach sie glatt,
mal grob, mal fein, in Stadt und Staat.
Manchmal mein' ich auch Sauberkeit,
befrei' vom Schmutz zur rechten Zeit.

Wer bin ich?

Lösung: der Putz

Translation:
I dress walls, make them smooth and neat,
Sometimes rough, sometimes fine, a common feat.
Sometimes I also mean 'cleanliness',
Freeing from dirt in timeliness.

Who am I?

Solution: der Putz (plaster / cleaning)

ℹ️ Other Information

The word Putz is closely related to the verb putzen. Originally, putzen meant something like 'to adorn' or 'to beautify'. From this, the modern meanings of cleaning and applying wall coverings developed, both activities that lead to an improvement or beautification.

Well-known compounds include:

• Frühjahrsputz: Spring cleaning.
• Innenputz/Außenputz: Interior/exterior plaster/render, distinguishing the place of application.
• Edelputz: A particularly high-quality or decorative plaster.