das Faultier
sloth
A mammal from Central and South America that moves very slowly and usually lives in trees.
EXAMPLE
Das Faultier hängt den größten Teil des Tages in einem Baum.
The sloth hangs in a tree for most of the day.
das Faultier
sloth
das Faultier, die Faultiere
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Meanings
das Faultier
sloth
Colloquially, a lazy or very sluggish person.
EXAMPLE
Du Faultier könntest wirklich einmal dein Zimmer aufräumen.
You sloth, you really could clean your room for once.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Faultier, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Faultiere |
| genitive | des Faultieres |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Faultier | die Faultiere |
| accusative | das Faultier | die Faultiere |
| dative | dem Faultier | den Faultieren |
| genitive | des Faultieres des Faultiers | der Faultiere |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Faultier' is made up of 'faul' (lazy) and 'Tier' (animal). This structure also helps explain the figurative use for people.
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder ist ein richtiges Faultier und liegt den ganzen Nachmittag auf dem Sofa.
My brother is a real sloth and lies on the sofa all afternoon.
Typical collocations
When describing the animal, the phrase 'kopfüber an einem Ast hängen' (to hang upside down from a branch) is typical. 'Kopfüber' describes a position with the head facing downward.
EXAMPLE
Wir beobachteten ein Faultier, das kopfüber an einem Ast hing.
We watched a sloth that was hanging upside down from a branch.
Direct address
When used as a direct form of address, 'Faultier' often follows 'du' without an article. Depending on the tone and relationship, this form of address can sound affectionately teasing or insulting.
EXAMPLE
Komm, du Faultier, wir wollten doch zusammen das Frühstück vorbereiten!
Come on, you sloth, we were going to prepare breakfast together!
In real life
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