das Gestrüpp
undergrowth
A dense and impenetrable tangle of bushes, shrubs, and low woody plants.
EXAMPLE
Wir mussten uns einen Weg durch das dichte Gestrüpp bahnen.
We had to make our way through the dense undergrowth.
das Gestrüpp
undergrowth
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The prefix 'Ge-' at the beginning and the article 'das' often indicate a collective noun, as in 'das Gebirge' (mountain range) or 'das Gemüse' (vegetables). 'Das Gestrüpp' (undergrowth) therefore refers to an uncountable mass of shrubs and bushes.
EXAMPLE
Hinter dem alten Zaun beginnt ein wildes Gestrüpp.
Behind the old fence, wild undergrowth begins.
No plural
'Gestrüpp' (undergrowth) is a collective noun and is almost always used in the singular. A plural form ('die Gestrüppe') does exist, but it is very rare and not used in everyday language, since the word already describes a mass.
EXAMPLE
Überall am Wegesrand wucherte dichtes Gestrüpp.
Dense undergrowth was growing everywhere along the side of the path.
Typical collocations
Common adjectives are 'dicht' (dense) or 'undurchdringlich' (impenetrable). Typical actions are 'sich einen Weg bahnen durch' (to make one's way through), 'sich verstecken in' (to hide in), or 'hervorkommen aus' (to emerge from) the undergrowth.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder versteckten sich im dichten Gestrüpp am Waldrand.
The children hid in the dense undergrowth at the edge of the forest.
Compare with
Gestrüpp vs Gebüsch
shrubbery
„Das Gebüsch“ and „das Gestrüpp“ can both refer to a dense group of bushes. „Gebüsch“ describes the vegetation neutrally, while „Gestrüpp“ also suggests wild, tangled growth that makes it difficult to get through. Use „Gebüsch“ for an objective description and „Gestrüpp“ when passage is difficult.
Gestrüpp
Der schmale Weg endet im Gestrüpp, sodass wir nicht weiterkommen.
The narrow path ends in undergrowth, so we cannot go any farther.
Gebüsch
Hinter dem Haus wächst dichtes Gebüsch mit vielen grünen Blättern.
Dense shrubbery with many green leaves grows behind the house.
In real life
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