Dictionary
English - German

Pick

pɪk
Extremely common
700 - 800
700 - 800
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

auswählen, pflücken, abholen, durchsuchen, auskratzen

Pick meanings in German

auswählen

Example:
Pick a color for your new car.
Wähle eine Farbe für dein neues Auto aus.
She picked the best time to visit the museum.
Sie wählte den besten Zeitpunkt, um das Museum zu besuchen.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Selecting or choosing something from a range of options.
Note: This meaning is often used in everyday conversations to denote making a choice.

pflücken

Example:
She picked some flowers from the garden.
Sie pflückte einige Blumen aus dem Garten.
He picked apples from the tree.
Er pflückte Äpfel vom Baum.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Harvesting or gathering fruits, flowers, or other items.
Note: Commonly used in gardening or agricultural contexts.

abholen

Example:
Can you pick me up from the airport?
Kannst du mich vom Flughafen abholen?
I'll pick you up at 7 PM.
Ich hole dich um 19 Uhr ab.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Collecting someone or something from a location.
Note: Frequently used when referring to transportation arrangements.

durchsuchen

Example:
She picked through the clothes to find her favorite shirt.
Sie durchsuchte die Kleidung, um ihr Lieblingshemd zu finden.
I picked through the documents to locate the important ones.
Ich durchsuchte die Dokumente, um die wichtigen zu finden.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Searching through a collection or group of items.
Note: Often used when looking for specific items within a larger set.

auskratzen

Example:
He picked the mud from his shoes before entering the house.
Er kratzte den Schlamm von seinen Schuhen, bevor er ins Haus ging.
She picked the paint off the wall.
Sie kratzte die Farbe von der Wand ab.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Removing small, unwanted particles from a surface.
Note: This meaning is often associated with cleaning or tidying activities.

Pick's synonyms

choose

To select from a number of possibilities.
Example: She couldn't decide which dress to choose for the party.
Note: While 'pick' often implies a quick selection, 'choose' suggests a more thoughtful decision-making process.

select

To carefully choose from a group of items or options.
Example: Please select the appropriate option from the menu.
Note: Similar to 'choose,' 'select' implies a deliberate decision and typically involves making a choice from a range of options.

opt

To make a choice or decision from a range of possibilities.
Example: I think I'll opt for the chicken instead of the beef.
Note: While 'pick' can be more casual, 'opt' often suggests a formal or considered decision.

decide

To make up one's mind or reach a conclusion after consideration.
Example: It took him a while to decide on which movie to watch.
Note: Unlike 'pick,' 'decide' emphasizes the process of making a choice after careful thought or deliberation.

Pick expressions, common phrases

Pick up

To collect or gather someone or something from a particular place.
Example: I'll pick you up at 7 p.m. for the movie.
Note: The phrase 'pick up' adds the notion of gathering or collecting in addition to just 'pick'.

Pick out

To choose or select something carefully from a group of things.
Example: She picked out a beautiful dress for the party.
Note: In 'pick out', there is a deliberate act of selection involved.

Pick on

To repeatedly criticize, tease, or bully someone.
Example: Stop picking on your little brother!
Note: The phrase 'pick on' implies targeting or singling out someone for negative attention.

Pick at

To eat or touch something with small movements, often without much interest.
Example: She kept picking at her food and didn't eat much.
Note: When 'pick' is used alone, it usually refers to a more general action of selecting or choosing.

Pick off

To shoot or eliminate individual targets from a group.
Example: The sniper picked off several enemy soldiers from a distance.
Note: The phrase 'pick off' emphasizes the action of targeting and eliminating one by one.

Pick and choose

To select only the best or most desirable options from a range of choices.
Example: You can't just pick and choose which tasks you want to do.
Note: This phrase suggests being selective and choosing only what is most advantageous or convenient.

Pick one's brain

To ask someone for advice or information by talking to them in order to benefit from their knowledge or expertise.
Example: I need to pick your brain about the best places to visit in the city.
Note: The phrase 'pick one's brain' implies seeking insight or knowledge from someone.

Pick a fight

To deliberately provoke or initiate a conflict or argument.
Example: He always seems to pick a fight with his classmates over small things.
Note: The phrase 'pick a fight' indicates intentionally starting a confrontation.

Pick everyday (slang) expressions

Pick a lock

To open a lock without the correct key using tools or techniques.
Example: He managed to pick the lock and get inside the house.
Note: The slang term 'pick a lock' specifically refers to opening a lock illicitly, contrasting with the original meaning of 'pick' related to choosing or selecting.

Pick of the litter

Refers to the best or most desirable option among a group of choices.
Example: The puppy with the floppy ears was the pick of the litter.
Note: In this context, 'pick' is used to describe the selection of the best or top choice, whereas in its original form, 'pick' relates to choosing from a variety of options.

Pick one's nose

To use one's finger to remove nasal mucus from one's nostrils.
Example: It's rude to pick your nose in public.
Note: The slang term 'pick one's nose' has a negative connotation of engaging in an unhygienic or socially unacceptable behavior, differing from the general act of picking as selecting or choosing.

Pick someone's pocket

To steal from someone's pocket or bag without them noticing.
Example: Beware of pickpockets in crowded places; they might try to pick your pocket.
Note: The slang term 'pick someone's pocket' involves a criminal act of stealing, contrasting with the original meaning of 'pick' related to selection or extraction.

Pick someone's brain

To ask someone for information or advice by engaging in conversation or discussion.
Example: I need to pick your brain about the best places to visit in the city.
Note: While 'pick someone's brain' retains the concept of selection from the original meaning of 'pick', it shifts to extracting knowledge or insights rather than physical objects.

Pick - Examples

I can't decide which dress to pick for the party.
Ich kann mich nicht entscheiden, welches Kleid ich für die Party auswählen soll.
He picked some flowers from the garden.
Er hat einige Blumen aus dem Garten gepflückt.
She picked up the phone and answered the call.
Sie nahm das Telefon ab und ging ans Telefon.

Pick grammar

Pick - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: pick
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): picks, pick
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): pick
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): picked
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): picking
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): picks
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): pick
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): pick
Syllables, Separation and Stress
pick Contains 1 syllables: pick
Phonetic transcription: ˈpik
pick , ˈpik (The red syllable is stressed)

Pick - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
pick: 700 - 800 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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