grasshopper / locust
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grasshopper / locust
A plant-eating insect with long jumping legs that often appears in large swarms. Depending on the species, a distinction is made between grasshoppers and migratory locusts.
Eine Heuschrecke saß auf dem Grashalm und zirpte.
A grasshopper was sitting on the blade of grass and chirping.
The word is made up of 'Heu' (hay) and 'Schrecke'. 'Schrecke' is derived from the verb 'schrecken', which in the past could also mean 'to jump'. So a 'Heuschrecke' (grasshopper/locust) is literally an insect that jumps in hay or in meadows.
Auf der Wiese sahen wir viele Heuschrecken im Gras.
In the meadow, we saw many grasshoppers in the grass.
You can easily recognize the meaning from context. If people are talking about nature, animals, or agriculture, the insect is meant. In discussions about business, finance, and politics, the figurative, negative meaning of a ruthless investor is meant.
Im Biologieunterricht lernen wir über die Heuschrecke.
In biology class, we are learning about the grasshopper.
In the meaning of 'Finanzinvestor' (financial investor), 'Heuschrecke' (corporate raider) is a strongly derogatory, figurative word (a metaphor). It is used almost exclusively in critical media reports or political debates to express greed and ruthlessness.
Die Gewerkschaft protestierte gegen den Verkauf der Firma an eine sogenannte „Heuschrecke“.
The union protested against the sale of the company to a so-called 'Heuschrecke' (corporate raider).
investor
'der Investor' and 'die Heuschrecke' can both refer to financial actors who put money into companies. 'Investor' is a neutral word and only says that someone uses capital in order to make a profit. 'Heuschrecke', on the other hand, is a strongly derogatory term. It refers to financial investors who buy up companies and are mainly looking for quick profit, often without regard for the consequences. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in financial contexts. In factual texts, use 'Investor'; use 'Heuschrecke' only when clear criticism is intended.
Die Mitarbeiter hatten Angst, dass eine Heuschrecke die Firma übernimmt.
The employees were afraid that a corporate raider would take over the company.
Mit einem Investor kann das Unternehmen die neue Maschine kaufen.
With an investor, the company can buy the new machine.