die  Kippe

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkɪpə/

🚬 What exactly is a Kippe?

The word die Kippe primarily has two meanings in German:

1. Colloquial term for cigarette butt: This is the most common meaning. A Kippe is the remainder of a smoked cigarette. Example: Wirf deine Kippe nicht auf den Boden! (Don't throw your cigarette butt on the ground!)
2. Edge, brink, verge: This meaning is less common and often part of fixed phrases. Example: Das Projekt steht auf der Kippe. (The project is on the brink / uncertain.)

🚨 Caution: The meaning 'cigarette butt' is very informal.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Kippe' in Detail

The noun 'Kippe' is feminine. It is declined as follows:

💡 Example Sentences

• Der Aschenbecher ist voller Kippen. (The ashtray is full of cigarette butts.)
• Bitte heb deine Kippe auf. (Please pick up your cigarette butt.)
• Die Verhandlungen standen lange auf der Kippe. (The negotiations were on the brink for a long time.)

🗣️ How to use 'Kippe'?

Usage strongly depends on the meaning:

• As cigarette butt: Almost exclusively used in colloquial language (Umgangssprache). You'll often hear it in everyday situations among smokers or when talking about litter. More formal alternatives are 'der Zigarettenstummel' or 'der Zigarettenrest'.
• As edge/brink: Mostly in the idiom 'auf der Kippe stehen', which means a situation is very uncertain or critical and close to a (negative) change.

It's important to consider the context to avoid misunderstandings, even though the 'cigarette butt' meaning dominates today.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Imagine die Zigarette (the cigarette, feminine) becomes die Kippe (feminine) when it's smoked. The '-e' ending is often a hint for feminine nouns in German.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think about how a cigarette butt is often carelessly 'kipped' away – that's the Kippe. Or how something standing 'auf der Kippe' is about to 'kippen' (tip over / fail).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar words: 'Die Klippe' (cliff) sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie die Zigarettenkippe auf den Boden geworfen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, werfen Sie etwa den Aschenbecher auf den Boden?"

English Translation: The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you throw the cigarette butt on the floor?"
The defendant answers: "Your Honor, do you throw the ashtray on the floor?"

📜 A Short Poem about the Kippe

German:
Am Straßenrand, ein kleines Ding,
die Kippe, die der Wind umfing.
Glimmte einst, gab Rauch und Dunst,
liegt nun vergessen, ohne Kunst.
Ein kleiner Rest, achtlos verbannt,
Symbol für Müll in Stadt und Land.

English Translation:
By the roadside, a little thing,
the butt, embraced by wind's wing.
Once glowed, gave smoke and haze,
now lies forgotten, without grace.
A small remnant, carelessly banned,
symbol of trash in city and land.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich war mal lang, doch nun bin ich kurz.
Ich glimmte heiß, nun bin ich ein Sturz.
Man tritt mich aus, wirft mich oft fort,
ein kleiner Rest an manchem Ort.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I once was long, but now I am short.
I glowed hot, now I'm a fall of sorts.
People stub me out, often throw me away,
a small remainder in many a place today.

What am I?
(Solution: die Kippe / the cigarette butt)

🌱 Other Interesting Facts

Etymology: The word 'Kippe' meaning cigarette butt likely derives from the verb 'kippen' (to tip over, to dump). The meaning 'edge' or 'brink' (as in 'auf der Kippe stehen') is older and refers to the point where something can easily tip over.

Environmental Aspect: Discarded cigarette butts (Kippen) are a significant environmental problem. They contain toxic substances and plastic (in the filter) that pollute soil and water.