kleine Trommel
feminine
The English phrase snare drum is translated into German as kleine Trommel. Wiktionary also lists Schnarrtrommel and Snare.
Meaning: tubular drum (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | Note |
|---|---|
| kleine Trommel | feminine |
| Schnarrtrommel | feminine |
| Snare | feminine |
| Rührtrommel | feminine |
The term refers to a tubular drum. While several forms exist, kleine Trommel is the standard descriptive term for this instrument.
What does it mean word for word?
The term kleine Trommel literally translates to small drum.
Which one should you use?
kleine Trommel is the standard way to describe the instrument, whereas Schnarrtrommel specifically emphasizes the rattling sound produced by the snares. The word Snare is a shortened version used in musical contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In musical contexts, musicians often use the shortened form Snare instead of the full German name. Similarly, in informal contexts, the term is often shortened to Die Snare.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun kleine Trommel is feminine and takes the definite article die.
Did you know?
- In German, the word schnarren used in Schnarrtrommel is the same word used to describe the sound of someone snoring.
- In German, the word trommeln is also a verb meaning to drum, but it is used idiomatically to describe the sound of fingers tapping rapidly on a table.
- The word Trommel is thought to be onomatopoeic, meaning it was created to mimic the actual sound of the drum itself.
Examples in context
- Eine große Trommel, eine kleine Trommel und Becken waren einst alles, was ein Komponist brauchte, um ein Werk exotisch klingen zu lassen.A bass drum, a snare drum, and cymbals were once all a composer needed to make a work sound exotic.This sentence uses kleine Trommel to describe the instruments a composer might use to create an exotic sound.Tatoeba #815020 by MUIRIEL, translation #814455 by papabear
- Können Sie mir die Snaredrum zeigen?Can you show me the snare drum?
- Hast du schon auf der Snare gespielt?Have you played the snare drum yet?
- Heute Abend spielt der Schlagzeuger die Snaredrum.Tonight, the percussionist is playing the snare drum.
- Wie nennt man die Snaredrum auf Deutsch?How do you say snare drum in German?
- Könnten Sie bitte das Wort für "snare drum" wiederholen?Could you please repeat the word for "snare drum"?
- Die kleine Trommel steht auf dem Schlagzeug.The snare drum is sitting on the drum kit.
- Er spielt die kleine Trommel sehr laut.He plays the snare drum very loudly.
Example conversation
Julia and Julian are in a music rehearsal room.
- JuliaJulian, hast du die kleine Trommel gesehen?Julian, have you seen the snare drum?
- JulianJa, sie steht dort neben dem Becken.Yes, it is standing there next to the cymbal.
- JuliaDanke, ich muss sie heute noch üben.Thanks, I still need to practice it today.
- JulianViel Erfolg beim Üben, Julia!Good luck with your practice, Julia!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snare drum” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Trommel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
