01
die Fledermaus
bat
A nocturnal flying mammal with wing membranes stretched between its limbs.
example
In der Dämmerung flogen plötzlich mehrere Fledermäuse aus der Höhle.
At dusk, several bats suddenly flew out of the cave.
die Fledermaus
bat
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word composition
'Fledermaus' is a compound noun. The first part, 'fleder-', comes from an old word meaning 'to flutter'. Literally, a Fledermaus is therefore a 'fluttering mouse', which describes its appearance and movement well.
EXAMPLE
Das Kind nannte den Schmetterling eine „Fledermaus“.
The child called the butterfly a 'Fledermaus' (bat).
Context clue
When the operetta is meant, the title is often written in quotation marks ('Die Fledermaus') or in italics. Words like 'Oper' (opera), 'Theater' (theater), 'Musik' (music), 'Aufführung' (performance), or 'sehen' (to see/watch) in a cultural context also point to the operetta.
EXAMPLE
Zu Silvester sehen wir uns traditionell „Die Fledermaus“ an.
On New Year's Eve, we traditionally watch 'Die Fledermaus'.
Typical combinations
When the animal is meant, 'Fledermaus' is often combined with words like 'Nacht' (night), 'Dämmerung' (dusk), 'Höhle' (cave), or 'Dachboden' (attic). Typical verbs are 'fliegen' (to fly), 'jagen' (to hunt), and 'hängen' (to hang), often upside down.
EXAMPLE
Fledermäuse hängen tagsüber kopfüber in dunklen Verstecken.
Bats hang upside down in dark hiding places during the day.
Compare with
Fledermaus vs Maus
mouse
'die Maus' and 'die Fledermaus' are both small mammals, but they are very different animals. A mouse runs on the ground, has a long tail, and often lives in houses, basements, or fields. A bat flies, is usually active at night, and has wing membranes instead of wings with feathers. Learners may confuse the words because the word 'Maus' is part of 'Fledermaus'. Still, a bat is not a mouse in the usual sense. For the small rodent, you say 'Maus'; for the flying night animal, you say 'Fledermaus'.
Fledermaus
Am Abend fliegt eine Fledermaus leise über den Garten.
In the evening, a bat flies quietly over the garden.
Maus
In der Schule beobachten wir mit den Kindern, wie eine Maus Körner frisst.
At school, we watch with the children as a mouse eats grains.
In real life
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