Töpfchen
neuter
The German word for potty is Töpfchen.
Töpfchen is used specifically when referring to a potty for children. For general references to a toilet, speakers may use other terms such as das Klo for a more informal sense or das WC in formal settings.
Meaning: children's chamberpot (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word Töpfchen is a diminutive of Topf (pot), created by adding the suffix -chen to mean little pot.
How does it change in a sentence?
Töpfchen is a neuter noun. Note that the diminutive form remains neuter regardless of the gender of the original noun Topf.
Did you know?
- If a German speaker refers to a Töpfchen in a kitchen context, they are talking about a small saucepan, not a potty.
- Adding -chen to Topf triggers an umlaut change where the 'o' becomes 'ö', a phonetic shift common in German diminutives that learners often overlook.
- Unlike English, where 'potty' can be an adjective meaning 'crazy', the German Töpfchen is strictly a noun and cannot be used to describe a person's mental state.
Examples in context
- Sag Mama Bescheid, dass ich aufs Klo muss.Tell Mom that I need to use the potty.
- Hast du das Töpfchen für die Kleinen schon bereitgestellt?Have you set up the potty for the little ones yet?
- Wo befindet sich bitte das WC?Where can I find the restroom, please?
- Das Töpfchen steht im Bad.The potty is in the bathroom.
- Ist das Töpfchen sauber?Is the potty clean?
- Wir brauchen ein neues Töpfchen.We need a new potty.
Example conversation
A couple is preparing a room for their newborn baby.
- JulianHast du das Töpfchen gekauft?Did you buy the potty?
- JuliaJa, das blaue Töpfchen ist da.Yes, the blue potty is here.
- JulianEs sieht sehr praktisch aus.It looks very practical.
- JuliaDas hoffe ich auch.I hope so too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “potty” translations and entries Töpfchen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
