01
das Dickicht
thicket
An area with very densely and impenetrably grown shrubs, bushes, and small trees.
example
Das Reh verschwand im dichten Dickicht am Waldrand.
The deer disappeared into the dense thicket at the edge of the forest.
das Dickicht
thicket
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The word 'Dickicht' (thicket) is derived from the adjective 'dick' (thick). The ending '-icht' is used in German to refer to a collection or group of something. A 'Dickicht' is therefore literally a collection of something thick, here densely growing plants.
EXAMPLE
Der Gärtner schnitt eine Lücke in das dichte Dickicht.
The gardener cut a gap into the dense thicket.
Typical prepositions
In the literal meaning, the prepositions are important for describing location and movement. You hide 'im Dickicht' (in the thicket, dative), you run 'ins Dickicht' (into the thicket, accusative), or you fight your way 'durch das Dickicht' (through the thicket, accusative).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder spielten Verstecken im Dickicht hinter dem Haus.
The children played hide-and-seek in the thicket behind the house.
Usage pattern
In the figurative meaning, 'Dickicht' (thicket) is almost always used with the prepositions 'aus' (of/from) or 'von' (of) and a plural noun. This structure describes a confusing mass of something abstract.
EXAMPLE
Er verirrte sich im Dickicht der Vorschriften.
He got lost in the thicket of regulations.
Compare with
Dickicht vs Wald
forest
'der Wald' and 'das Dickicht' can both have to do with densely growing plants. 'Wald' means a larger area with many trees. 'Dickicht' means an especially dense area of shrubs, bushes, and small trees that is difficult to get through. A 'Dickicht' can be located in a forest, but it is not the same as the whole forest. Both words can also be used figuratively for something confusing or hard to navigate. 'Dickicht' then especially emphasizes that it is hard to find your way around.
Dickicht
Der Hund verschwand plötzlich im Dickicht hinter dem Garten.
The dog suddenly disappeared into the thicket behind the garden.
Wald
Nora ist vor dem Termin noch kurz am Rand des Waldes spazieren gegangen.
Before the appointment, Nora took a short walk along the edge of the forest.
In real life
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