das Aas
carrion
The decomposing body of a dead animal, often serving as food for other animals.
EXAMPLE
Die Geier kreisten über dem Aas in der Savanne.
The vultures circled above the carrion in the savanna.
das Aas
carrion
das Aas, die Aase
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Meanings
das Aas
bastard / scumbag
A crude and strongly derogatory insult for a person who is seen as mean, underhanded, or despicable.
EXAMPLE
Dieses feige Aas hat mich einfach angelogen!
That cowardly scumbag just lied to me!
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Aas, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Aase |
| genitive | des Aases |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Aas | die Aase die Äser |
| accusative | das Aas | die Aase die Äser |
| dative | dem Aas | den Aasen den Äsern |
| genitive | des Aases | der Aase der Äser |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
You can easily recognize the meaning from the context. If people are talking about animals, nature, or decomposition, it means the animal carcass. In an argument or insult between people, it is an insult.
EXAMPLE
Der Geruch von Aas lag in der Luft.
The smell of carrion was in the air.
Was für ein Aas, er hat mich einfach stehen lassen!
What a scumbag, he just left me standing there!
Word family
Other words are derived from 'Aas' (carrion), such as the adjective 'aasig' (mean, disgusting) or the compound 'der Aasgeier' (a vulture that eats carrion). These words help you understand the negative connotation.
EXAMPLE
Sein Verhalten war wirklich aasig.
His behavior was really nasty.
Der Aasgeier ist ein wichtiger Teil des Ökosystems.
The vulture is an important part of the ecosystem.
Typical collocations
In the biological sense, 'Aas' (carrion) is often connected with animals that feed on it. Typical 'Aasfresser' (scavengers) are vultures, hyenas, or ravens.
EXAMPLE
Einige Insektenarten sind darauf spezialisiert, Aas zu zersetzen.
Some insect species are specialized in decomposing carrion.
Style and register
As an insult, 'Aas' (bastard/scumbag) is extremely strong, vulgar, and hurtful. It is used only in situations of great anger or contempt and should be handled with extreme caution.
EXAMPLE
Er nannte seinen Rivalen ein hinterhältiges Aas.
He called his rival an underhanded scumbag.
Compare with
Aas vs Luder
hussy / bait
Luder and Aas can both be crude insults for a despised person. Luder typically refers to a scheming or morally loose woman, while Aas expresses more general and stronger contempt for a mean or despicable person. Use Luder for the specifically female characterization and Aas for general contempt.
Aas
Dieses Aas täuschte seine Freunde und nahm ihnen den versprochenen Gewinn weg.
This scumbag deceived his friends and took the prize they had been promised away from them.
Luder
Dieses Luder täuschte ihre Freundin und nahm ihr den versprochenen Gewinn weg.
This hussy deceived her friend and took away the prize she had been promised.
In real life
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