der  Wermutstropfen

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvɛrmʊtˌʃtʁɔpfən/

💧 What does "der Wermutstropfen" mean?

Der Wermutstropfen is a German idiomatic expression. It refers to a small but noticeable negative aspect or circumstance that slightly spoils or detracts from an otherwise positive or enjoyable situation, experience, or thing. Think of it as the 'fly in the ointment' or a 'slight drawback'.

Imagine receiving a great gift 🎁, but it has a tiny scratch. That scratch would be der Wermutstropfen – it doesn't make the gift bad, just not quite perfect.

The expression alludes to the bitter taste of wormwood (Wermut), a plant also used to make vermouth. Metaphorically, a single drop (Tropfen) of it can affect the sweet taste of the whole.

🚨 Important: The expression is used almost exclusively in a figurative sense.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: A closer look at der Wermutstropfen

The noun "Wermutstropfen" is masculine. The article is der.

⚠️ The plural "die Wermutstropfen" is grammatically correct but rarely used in the figurative sense. Usually, people talk about one Wermutstropfen that spoils a situation.

📝 Example Sentences

• Das Fest war wunderschön, der einzige Wermutstropfen war das schlechte Wetter am Ende.
  (The party was wonderful, the only drawback was the bad weather at the end.)
• Er hat seinen Traumjob bekommen, kleiner Wermutstropfen ist aber der lange Arbeitsweg.
  (He got his dream job, but a small downside is the long commute.)
• Die Reise war fantastisch, auch wenn der verpasste Anschlussflug ein kleiner Wermutstropfen war.
  (The trip was fantastic, even though the missed connecting flight was a small fly in the ointment.)

💡 Everyday Usage: When to use Wermutstropfen

You use "der Wermutstropfen" to point out a small disadvantage, inconvenience, or flaw that slightly diminishes the overall impression of an otherwise positive thing.

• Context: Often in situations that are generally good or pleasant, but not quite perfect.
• Typical Verbs: "sein" (to be), "bilden" (to form/constitute), "darstellen" (to represent) (e.g., "Das Wetter war der einzige Wermutstropfen." - The weather was the only drawback.)
• Comparison: Similar to "der Haken (an der Sache)" (the catch), but often less severe. A Wermutstropfen is more like a slight damper, while a Haken can be a more serious problem.
• Style: Standard to slightly elevated everyday language, often used in reports, narratives, or reviews.

It emphasizes that despite the minor negative point, the positive aspects prevail, but the small flaw is still worth mentioning.

🧠 Mnemonics

Article Mnemonic (der): Think of 'der drop'. In German, 'drop' is 'der Tropfen' (masculine). So, it's der Wermutstropfen.

Meaning Mnemonic: Wermut (wormwood) is bitter. A Tropfen (drop) of it spoils (a little) the sweet taste. A small negative point spoils the bigger picture.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words

• Der Wermut: (Wormwood / Vermouth) - The plant or the drink itself. Not the metaphorical drawback.
• Der Tropfen: (The drop) - A single drop of liquid.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Optimist immer Zucker dabei, wenn er vom Wermutstropfen hört?

Damit er ihn gleich versüßen kann! 😄

(Why does the optimist always carry sugar when he hears about the Wermutstropfen?)

(So he can sweeten it immediately!) 😄

📜 Poem about the Word

Die Freude groß, das Glück so rein,
doch etwas Bitteres schleicht sich ein.
Ein kleiner Punkt, nicht wirklich schlimm,
der Wermutstropfen, trüb und grimm.

Er mindert nicht den ganzen Wert,
hat aber doch das Herz beschwert.
Ein Schatten nur im Sonnenschein,
so kann das Leben manchmal sein.

(The joy is great, happiness so pure,
But something bitter creeps in, unsure.
A little point, not truly bad,
The drop of wormwood, dim and sad.)

(It doesn't lessen the whole worth,
But still has burdened the heart's mirth.
Just a shadow in the sunny ray,
So life can sometimes be this way.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin kein Gift, doch bitter schmeckt mein Ruf,
ich trübe Freude, die das Schicksal schuf.
Ich bin der kleine Makel im Genuss,
ein Dämpfer für den frohen Überschuss.

Was bin ich?

→ Der Wermutstropfen

(I am no poison, yet my reputation tastes bitter,
I cloud the joy that fate did litter.
I am the small flaw in delight,
A damper on the joyful, happy light.)

(What am I?)

(→ The Wermutstropfen / fly in the ointment)

🌿 Origin and Other Info

Word Meaning & Origin

The word is composed of:

• Wermut (der): A bitter-tasting medicinal and aromatic plant (Artemisia absinthium). Vermouth wine is also made from it.
• Tropfen (der): A small amount of liquid, a drop.

So, "Wermutstropfen" literally refers to a drop of the bitter wormwood essence. The figurative meaning arose from the idea that even a small drop of this bitterness is enough to slightly impair something pleasant (like a sweet drink, or indeed a situation).

Interestingly, Wermut itself doesn't only have negative connotations; it's also known as a medicinal herb and an aperitif. In the expression "Wermutstropfen", however, the aspect of bitterness and undesirability clearly dominates.