01
der Dschungel
jungle
A very dense, impenetrable forest in tropical regions with lush vegetation.
example
Forscher entdeckten im Dschungel von Borneo eine neue Pflanzenart.
Researchers discovered a new plant species in the jungles of Borneo.
der Dschungel
jungle
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
You can recognize the literal meaning (forest) from words like 'Tiere' (animals), 'Pflanzen' (plants), or 'reisen' (to travel). You can recognize the figurative meaning (complex situation) from abstract terms like 'Gesetze' (laws), 'Bürokratie' (bureaucracy), or 'Informationen' (information).
EXAMPLE
Er überlebte eine Woche allein im Dschungel.
He survived alone in the jungle for a week.
Fixed expression
The expression 'das Gesetz des Dschungels' (the law of the jungle) describes a situation in which only the strongest survive or prevail and there are no rules or morals.
EXAMPLE
In dieser Branche herrscht ein harter Wettbewerb, es gilt das Gesetz des Dschungels.
In this industry there is fierce competition; the law of the jungle applies.
Typical adjectives
In its literal meaning, 'Dschungel' (jungle) is often combined with adjectives like 'tropisch' (tropical), 'dicht' (dense), 'grün' (green), or 'undurchdringlich' (impenetrable).
EXAMPLE
Die Expedition kämpfte sich durch den dichten tropischen Dschungel.
The expedition fought its way through the dense tropical jungle.
Typical compounds
In the figurative meaning, 'Dschungel' (jungle) is often the second part of compounds. Common examples are 'der Paragraphendschungel' (jungle of legal clauses), 'der Bürokratiedschungel' (bureaucratic jungle), or 'der Großstadtdschungel' (urban jungle).
EXAMPLE
Der Anwalt half ihr durch den Paragraphendschungel.
The lawyer helped her through the jungle of legal clauses.
Use with preposition
To describe the confusing situation, the structure 'ein Dschungel aus' or 'ein Dschungel an' followed by a noun in the dative is often used.
EXAMPLE
Für Laien ist das ein Dschungel aus Fachbegriffen.
For laypeople, this is a jungle of technical terms.
Compare with
Dschungel vs Wald
forest
'der Wald' and 'der Dschungel' both refer to areas with many plants and trees. 'Wald' is the general word and can occur in many climate zones. 'Dschungel' means a very dense forest in tropical regions that is difficult to get through. Both words can also be used figuratively for something confusing or hard to navigate, but 'Dschungel' emphasizes the chaos and difficulty more strongly. You can confuse them if you are simply thinking of many trees. For a normal forest in Germany, you do not say 'Dschungel'.
Dschungel
Auf der Reise führte uns ein schmaler Weg durch den dichten Dschungel.
On the trip, a narrow path led us through the dense jungle.
Wald
Nach dem Regen riecht der Wald besonders frisch.
After the rain, the forest smells especially fresh.
In real life
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