die Grille
cricket
A small insect related to grasshoppers, usually noticeable because of its loud chirping.
EXAMPLE
Im hohen Gras zirpte die Grille bis spät in die Nacht.
The cricket chirped in the tall grass until late at night.
die Grille
cricket
die Grille, die Grillen
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Meanings
die Grille
whim / odd idea
An unusual or often unrealistic idea, or a strange whim.
EXAMPLE
Die Idee, mitten im Winter im Garten zu zelten, ist nur eine Grille von ihm.
The idea of camping in the garden in the middle of winter is just one of his whims.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Grille, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Grillen |
| genitive | der Grille |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Grille | die Grillen |
| accusative | die Grille | die Grillen |
| dative | der Grille | den Grillen |
| genitive | der Grille | der Grillen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
Common collocations are „Grillen zirpen hören“ (to hear crickets chirping) and „das Zirpen der Grillen“ (the chirping of crickets). You can use these to describe the sounds even when you cannot see the insects.
EXAMPLE
Durch das offene Fenster hörten wir die Grillen zirpen.
Through the open window, we heard the crickets chirping.
Fixed expression
The expression „Grillen im Kopf haben“ (to have strange ideas) is used for odd or unrealistic ideas. In this expression, „Grillen“ is plural; it does not refer to insects.
EXAMPLE
Seit er von einer eigenen Insel träumt, sagt seine Familie, er habe Grillen im Kopf.
Ever since he started dreaming of owning his own island, his family says he has strange ideas.
Typical expression
In the expression „jemandem die Grillen austreiben“ (to talk someone out of their strange ideas), the person is in the dative case. The expression describes an attempt to dissuade someone from their odd ideas.
EXAMPLE
Sein Vater wollte ihm die Grillen austreiben, doch er hielt an seinen verrückten Plänen fest.
His father wanted to talk him out of his strange ideas, but he stuck to his crazy plans.
Style and connotation
This use of „Grille“ (whim) often sounds old-fashioned or literary today. When someone describes another person's ideas as „Grillen“, it often also sounds disparaging.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Tante schüttelte den Kopf über die Grillen ihres Neffen.
The old aunt shook her head at her nephew's strange ideas.
In real life
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