Rutsche
/ˈʁʊtʃə/feminine
In German, the word for a slide (item of play equipment) is Rutsche. Wiktionary also lists Rutschbahn.
Meaning: item of play equipment (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rutsche | /ˈʁʊtʃə/ | feminine |
| Rutschbahn | /ˈʁʊtʃˌbaːn/ | feminine |
A common phrase used when describing the action of going down the slide is die Rutsche runterrutschen.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun Rutsche is derived from the verb rutschen, which means 'to slide'.
Which one should you use?
Rutsche is the common term for a playground slide. In contrast, Rutschbahn is a more descriptive term often used to refer to a long, continuous slide surface or a slide used in specific contexts, such as sledding.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Rutsche is a feminine noun, which means it takes the article die in the nominative case.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʁʊtʃə/
Did you know?
- The word rutschen can be used as a slang term for moving something quickly or shifting one's position, such as asking someone to rutsch mal to make room on a bench.
- The term Rutsche is closely related to the word rutschfest, which is the standard technical term for 'slip-resistant' or 'non-slip' materials.
- The Middle High German ancestor of Rutsche, the word rütsche, shares a linguistic lineage with words describing much more vigorous or sudden movements, highlighting its kinetic roots.
Examples in context
- Willst du auf der Rutsche rutschen?Do you want to go down the slide?This sentence shows how to use Rutsche in a question about using the slide.Tatoeba #3375617 by brauchinet, translation #3375268 by _undertoad
- Alice rutschte die lange Rutsche hinunter.Alice slid down the long slide.This sentence demonstrates the use of Rutsche when describing someone sliding down it.Tatoeba #1830918 by Zaghawa, translation #67337 by CN
- Im Sandkasten gibt es eine Rutsche, eine Schaukel und eine Wippe, sonst nichts.The sandpit has a slide, a swing, a see-saw, and nothing else.This sentence lists Rutsche alongside other common playground equipment.Tatoeba #10751770 by Yorwba, translation #12070321 by sundown
- Bitte sprechen Sie langsam auf der Rutsche.Please speak slowly on the slide.
- Lass uns zur Schaukel gehen und dann auf die Rutsche!Let's go to the swing and then to the slide!
- Hast du Lust, auf der Rutschbahn zu spielen?Do you want to play on the slide?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A mother and her son are at a local playground.
- SarahIst die Rutsche hier sicher?Is the slide here safe?
- JulianJa, die Rutsche ist sehr stabil.Yes, the slide is very stable.
- SarahJulian, möchtest du auf die Rutsche?Julian, do you want to go on the slide?
- JulianJa, ich möchte die Rutsche benutzen!Yes, I want to use the slide!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slide” translations and entries Rutsche, Rutschbahn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Rutschbahn, Rutsche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
