hamster
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hamster
A small rodent from the vole family, characterized by its large cheek pouches for carrying food and often kept as a pet.
Der Hamster läuft nachts stundenlang in seinem Rad.
The hamster runs in its wheel for hours at night.
The verb 'hamstern' (to hoard) is derived from the noun 'der Hamster' (the hamster). It means to stockpile supplies or hoard things, just like the animal collects food in its cheek pouches.
Vor dem Sturm haben viele Leute begonnen, Wasser und Lebensmittel zu hamstern.
Before the storm, many people started hoarding water and food.
The verb 'hamstern' (to hoard) is often used in connection with 'Hamsterkäufen' (panic buying). This refers to panic purchases where people buy large quantities of products out of fear of shortages.
Zu Beginn der Pandemie gab es in vielen Supermärkten Hamsterkäufe.
At the beginning of the pandemic, there was panic buying in many supermarkets.
When talking about a hamster as a pet, typical expressions are 'einen Hamster halten' (to keep a hamster) or 'sich einen Hamster anschaffen' (to get a hamster).
Meine Tochter wünscht sich zum Geburtstag, dass wir uns einen Hamster anschaffen.
My daughter wants us to get a hamster for her birthday.
mouse
'die Maus' and 'der Hamster' are both small rodents, so they can easily be confused. A mouse usually has a long tail and often lives in the wild; in a house, it is often considered a pest. A hamster has a rounder body, short legs, and large cheek pouches. It is often kept as a pet. If you mean a small animal in the basement or kitchen, 'Maus' is usually more natural. If it is about a pet in a cage, 'Hamster' often fits better.
Meine Nachbarin füttert ihren Hamster jeden Abend nach dem Essen.
My neighbor feeds her hamster every evening after dinner.
In der Küche hat eine Maus ein Stück Brot angeknabbert.
A mouse nibbled on a piece of bread in the kitchen.