Noun
das Ungeziefer
Pronunciation: /ˈʊnɡəˌt͡siːfɐ/
vermin; pests; restricted to small animals, usually insects or spiders, sometimes also mice, etc
C2
rank #11,069
Meanings
Noun
- vermin; pests; restricted to small animals, usually insects or spiders, sometimes also mice, etc
Example sentence
Der Küchenschrank steckte voller Motten, und dieses Ungeziefer war in alle Dosen und Tüten eingedrungen.
The kitchen cupboard was full of moths, and these vermin had got into every tin and bag.
Word forms
singular
das Ungeziefer
No common plural.
The four cases
Singular
Nominativedas Ungeziefer
Accusativedas Ungeziefer
Dativedem Ungeziefer
Genitivedes Ungeziefers
Ungeziefer has no common plural.
Usage
- das Ungeziefer — Vermin or pests treated collectively; normally singular.
- Ungeziefer / Schädlinge — A collective noun versus a countable plural for individual pests.
In den alten Vorratssäcken hatte sich Ungeziefer ausgebreitet.
Vermin had spread through the old sacks of provisions.