01
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 Busch
bush
'der Busch' and 'das Gestrüpp' both have to do with low, woody plants. A 'Busch' is a single plant and can stand neatly in a garden. 'Gestrüpp', on the other hand, means many bushes, shrubs, and branches all tangled together, often dense and hard to get through. The word usually sounds somewhat untidy or wild. The words can be confused because 'Gestrüpp' can consist of bushes. For a single plant, you say 'Busch'; for a dense, overgrown tangle, you say 'Gestrüpp'.
Gestrüpp
Der Hund ist ins Gestrüpp gelaufen und kam mit kleinen Zweigen im Fell zurück.
The dog ran into the undergrowth and came back with little twigs in its fur.
Busch
Im Garten ist ein Busch, der im Mai gelbe Blüten trägt.
There is a bush in the garden that has yellow flowers in May.
In real life
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