monkey / ape
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monkey / ape
A mammal from the order of primates that is biologically closely related to humans and often lives in trees.
Im Zoo beobachteten die Kinder fasziniert die Affen beim Spielen.
At the zoo, the children watched the monkeys playing with fascination.
The expression 'sich zum Affen machen' means to behave ridiculously or foolishly. The verb is reflexive here: someone 'macht sich zum Affen' (makes a fool of themselves).
Er hat auf der Bühne getanzt und sich total zum Affen gemacht.
He danced on stage and made a complete fool of himself.
The colloquial expression 'einen Affen haben' means to be very drunk. The structure is always 'jemand hat einen Affen' (someone is very drunk).
Nach fünf Bier hatte er einen ordentlichen Affen.
After five beers, he was properly drunk.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Affe' (monkey / ape) from the verb. If you 'see' an Affe, it means the animal. If you 'sich zum Affen macht' (make a fool of yourself), you are behaving foolishly. If you 'einen Affen hat' (are very drunk), you are drunk.
Im Zoo haben wir einen Affen gesehen.
We saw a monkey at the zoo.
The meaning 'Rucksack' (backpack) is outdated and comes from soldiers' jargon. You practically never hear it in everyday language today.
Der Soldat schulterte seinen schweren Affen und marschierte los.
The soldier shouldered his heavy backpack and marched off.
The word 'Affe' (monkey / ape) can be used directly as an insult for a person you consider stupid or silly. However, it is considered a rather harmless or childish insult.
Du Affe, du hast den falschen Knopf gedrückt!
You idiot, you pressed the wrong button!
idiot
'der Idiot' and 'der Affe' can both be used as insults for a person. Both are derogatory and do not belong in polite conversation. 'der Idiot' says more directly that you consider someone very stupid or unreasonable. 'der Affe' often sounds a bit more figurative and usually refers to someone who is behaving in a silly, ridiculous, or stupid way. For a strong insult because of a stupid decision, 'Idiot' is more typical. If the behavior seems especially ridiculous, 'Affe' can fit.
Vor der ganzen Klasse machte er den Affen und störte den Unterricht.
He made a fool of himself in front of the whole class and disrupted the lesson.
Der Autofahrer fuhr viel zu schnell; so ein Idiot!
The driver was going much too fast; what an idiot!