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
die Fledermaus, die Fledermäuse
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Meanings
die Fledermaus
Die Fledermaus
Refers to the famous operetta 'Die Fledermaus' by Johann Strauss II.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben Karten für „Die Fledermaus“ in der Volksoper.
We have tickets for 'Die Fledermaus' at the Volksoper.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Fledermaus, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Fledermäuse |
| genitive | der Fledermaus |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Fledermaus | die Fledermäuse |
| accusative | die Fledermaus | die Fledermäuse |
| dative | der Fledermaus | den Fledermäusen |
| genitive | der Fledermaus | der Fledermäuse |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
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.
In real life
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