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der Dinosaurier
dinosaur
An extinct, often very large reptile that lived in the Mesozoic era.
example
Im Naturkundemuseum steht das Skelett eines riesigen Dinosauriers.
The skeleton of a huge dinosaur stands in the natural history museum.
der Dinosaurier
dinosaur
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Typical collocations
In connection with the extinct animal, 'Dinosaurier' (dinosaur) is often combined with words like 'Skelett' (skeleton), 'Fossilien' (fossils), 'ausgestorben' (extinct), or 'Museum' (museum).
EXAMPLE
Forscher haben die Fossilien eines bisher unbekannten Dinosauriers entdeckt.
Researchers have discovered the fossils of a previously unknown dinosaur.
Context clue
This figurative meaning is used for people, companies, or ideas that are considered outdated and not adaptable. The tone is usually critical or mocking.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma gilt als Dinosaurier der Branche, weil sie die Digitalisierung verschlafen hat.
The company is considered a dinosaur of the industry because it slept through digitalization.
Register
The use of 'Dinosaurier' (dinosaur) for an outdated person or thing is colloquial. In a formal or neutral text, you would choose a different description.
EXAMPLE
Mein Opa ist beim Thema Smartphones ein echter Dinosaurier, er benutzt immer noch sein altes Tastenhandy.
My grandpa is a real dinosaur when it comes to smartphones; he still uses his old button phone.
Compare with
Dinosaurier vs Dino
dino
'Dinosaurier' and 'Dino' often mean the same prehistoric animal. 'Dino' is the short, colloquial form of 'Dinosaurier' and sounds more casual, especially in everyday language or with children. 'Dinosaurier' sounds more neutral and fits better in factual texts, school, or a museum. Both words can also be used negatively for something very old or outdated. In that case, 'Dino' sounds especially colloquial. They are easy to confuse because the meaning can be the same; the most important difference is style.
Dinosaurier
Im Museum steht das Skelett eines großen Dinosauriers.
The skeleton of a large dinosaur stands in the museum.
Dino
Dieses alte Handy ist wirklich ein Dino, aber es funktioniert noch.
This old mobile phone is really a dinosaur, but it still works.
In real life
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