der Bagger
excavator
A large construction machine with a bucket, used for digging out earth and moving heavy materials.
EXAMPLE
Der Bagger lud den Sand auf den Lastwagen.
The excavator loaded the sand onto the truck.
der Bagger
excavator / creep
der Bagger, die Bagger
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Meanings
der Bagger
creep
A colloquial, often derogatory term for a man who tries to initiate a romantic or sexual relationship in a clumsy or pushy way.
EXAMPLE
Kaum war sie in der Bar, wurde sie von so einem aufdringlichen Bagger angesprochen.
No sooner had she arrived at the bar than she was approached by some pushy creep.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Bagger, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Bagger |
| genitive | des Baggers |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Bagger | die Bagger |
| accusative | den Bagger | die Bagger |
| dative | dem Bagger | den Baggern |
| genitive | des Baggers | der Bagger |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Verb "baggern"
Both meanings of the noun 'Bagger' come from the verb 'baggern'. 'Baggern' literally means 'to dig out earth', but colloquially it also means 'to hit on someone in a clumsy way in order to flirt'.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma baggert hier für das neue Fundament.
The company is excavating here for the new foundation.
Er hat den ganzen Abend versucht, sie anzubaggern.
He tried to hit on her all evening.
Context clue
The meaning is always clear from context. If people are talking about a construction site, sand, or a hole, the machine is meant. In a social context such as a bar or party, the colloquial description of a person is meant.
EXAMPLE
Der Lärm vom Bagger auf der Baustelle ist sehr laut.
The noise from the excavator on the construction site is very loud.
Sie fand den Typen an der Bar einen furchtbaren Bagger.
She thought the guy at the bar was a terrible creep.
Colloquial
The term 'Bagger' for a man is purely colloquial and has a strongly negative and derogatory meaning. It describes pushy and unwanted flirting behavior.
EXAMPLE
Niemand mag solche plumpen Bagger.
Nobody likes clumsy creeps like that.
Typical collocations
In connection with the construction machine, typical verbs are 'graben' (to dig), 'aufladen' (to load), or 'abreißen' (to demolish). Common nouns are 'Baustelle' (construction site), 'Grube' (pit), or 'Erde' (earth/soil).
EXAMPLE
Der Bagger gräbt eine tiefe Grube für den Keller.
The excavator is digging a deep pit for the basement.
In real life
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