der Angsthase
scaredy-cat
A colloquial term for an anxious or especially cautious person.
EXAMPLE
Du Angsthase, die kleine Spinne tut dir doch nichts!
You scaredy-cat, that little spider isn't going to hurt you!
der Angsthase
scaredy-cat
der Angsthase, die Angsthasen
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Angsthase, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Angsthasen |
| genitive | des Angsthasen |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Angsthase | die Angsthasen |
| accusative | den Angsthasen | die Angsthasen |
| dative | dem Angsthasen | den Angsthasen |
| genitive | des Angsthasen | der Angsthasen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Angsthase' is made up of 'Angst' (fear) and 'Hase' (hare). Here, the hare is used figuratively for a person who is easily frightened or very cautious.
EXAMPLE
Mein kleiner Bruder ist bei Gewitter ein echter Angsthase.
My little brother is a real scaredy-cat during thunderstorms.
Typical collocation
'Angsthase' often appears with 'sein' (to be), especially in the expression 'Sei kein Angsthase!' (Don't be a scaredy-cat!). Intensifiers such as 'ein echter Angsthase' (a real scaredy-cat) are also common.
EXAMPLE
Sei kein Angsthase und probier die Kletterwand aus!
Don't be a scaredy-cat—try the climbing wall!
Playful tone
The word is often used jokingly or teasingly, but depending on the situation, it can also be hurtful. A playful tone is especially common among friends or when speaking to children.
EXAMPLE
Er nannte mich einen Angsthasen, aber ich wusste, dass er nur Spaß machte.
He called me a scaredy-cat, but I knew he was only joking.
In real life
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