die Brutstätte
breeding ground
A place where animals hatch their eggs or raise their young.
EXAMPLE
Der Teich ist eine wichtige Brutstätte für viele Amphibien.
The pond is an important breeding ground for many amphibians.
die Brutstätte
breeding ground
die Brutstätte, die Brutstätten
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Meanings
die Brutstätte
breeding ground
A place or environment where something develops and spreads, especially something undesirable or dangerous.
EXAMPLE
Das überfüllte Lager wurde zur Brutstätte für Krankheiten.
The overcrowded camp became a breeding ground for disease.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Brutstätte, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Brutstätten |
| genitive | der Brutstätte |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Brutstätte | die Brutstätten |
| accusative | die Brutstätte | die Brutstätten |
| dative | der Brutstätte | den Brutstätten |
| genitive | der Brutstätte | der Brutstätten |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Brutstätte' (breeding ground) is made up of 'Brut' (brood) and 'Stätte' (place). It literally refers to a place where young animals develop; this idea also explains its figurative use for the development of undesirable things.
EXAMPLE
Das Schilf am See ist eine geschützte Brutstätte für Wasservögel.
The reeds by the lake are a protected breeding ground for waterbirds.
Typical collocations
In its literal sense, 'Brutstätte' (breeding ground) is often used with animal species or habitats, as well as in expressions such as 'wichtige Brutstätte' (important breeding ground), 'geschützte Brutstätte' (protected breeding ground), or 'natürliche Brutstätte' (natural breeding ground). It is often followed by a complement introduced by 'für' (for) with the accusative case.
EXAMPLE
Die kleine Insel gilt als wichtige Brutstätte für seltene Seevögel.
The small island is considered an important breeding ground for rare seabirds.
Figurative use
In its figurative sense, 'Brutstätte' (breeding ground) usually refers to an environment where something problematic develops; it is often followed by 'für' (for) with the accusative case. This use is often metaphorical and usually carries a distinctly negative connotation.
EXAMPLE
Das Viertel wurde lange als Brutstätte für organisierte Kriminalität bezeichnet.
The neighborhood was long described as a breeding ground for organized crime.
In real life
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