das Erdloch
hole in the ground
An opening or depression in the ground created by digging, erosion, or the activity of an animal.
EXAMPLE
Das Kaninchen verschwand schnell in seinem Erdloch.
The rabbit quickly disappeared into its burrow.
das Erdloch
hole in the ground
das Erdloch, die Erdlöcher
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Erdloch, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Erdlöcher |
| genitive | des Erdlochs |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Erdloch | die Erdlöcher |
| accusative | das Erdloch | die Erdlöcher |
| dative | dem Erdloch | den Erdlöchern |
| genitive | des Erdlochs des Erdloches | der Erdlöcher |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Erdloch' is made up of 'Erd-' (earth/ground) and 'Loch' (hole). 'Erd-' shows that the hole is in the earth or ground.
EXAMPLE
Hinter dem Haus entdeckten wir ein tiefes Erdloch.
We discovered a deep hole in the ground behind the house.
Indicating location
With 'Erdloch', the prepositions 'in' and 'aus' are especially common: movement into it takes the accusative, while staying inside it takes the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Hund fiel in ein Erdloch.
The dog fell into a hole in the ground.
Das Tier versteckte sich in einem Erdloch.
The animal hid in a hole in the ground.
Typical collocations
'Erdloch' is often used with verbs of movement or hiding, for example 'in ein Erdloch fallen' (to fall into a hole in the ground), 'in einem Erdloch leben' (to live in a hole in the ground), and 'aus einem Erdloch klettern' (to climb out of a hole in the ground).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Regen war es schwierig, aus dem Erdloch zu klettern.
After the rain, it was difficult to climb out of the hole in the ground.
In real life
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