insect
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insect
A small animal from the class of arthropods that typically has a body divided into head, thorax, and abdomen, six legs, and often wings.
Eine Biene ist ein nützliches Insekt, das Blüten bestäubt.
A bee is a useful insect that pollinates flowers.
The word 'Insekt' (insect) comes from the Latin 'insectum', meaning 'cut into'. The name refers to these animals' bodies being clearly divided into segments (head, thorax, abdomen).
Man kann den Körperbau des Insekts unter dem Mikroskop gut erkennen.
You can clearly see the body structure of the insect under the microscope.
'Insekt' (insect) is the basis for many useful compound words. Examples include 'der Insektenstich' (insect bite/sting), 'das Insektenschutzmittel' (insect repellent), or 'die Insektenkunde' (entomology).
Im Sommer sollte man immer Insektenschutzmittel dabeihaben.
In summer, you should always have insect repellent with you.
Common combinations are 'nützliche Insekten' (beneficial insects) and 'schädliche Insekten' (harmful insects). You can also be 'von einem Insekt gestochen' (stung by an insect) or 'gebissen werden' (be bitten).
Marienkäfer gelten als nützliche Insekten, da sie Blattläuse fressen.
Ladybugs are considered beneficial insects because they eat aphids.
beetle
'das Insekt' and 'der Käfer' belong to the same area, because a beetle is a type of insect. However, 'Insekt' is the more general term. It also includes, for example, flies, bees, or mosquitoes. 'Käfer' is more specific and refers only to insects with hard wing cases. Learners may confuse the words because beetles are often simply perceived as small insects. As a practical rule: if you do not know the exact type, 'Insekt' fits better. If it really is a beetle, 'Käfer' is more precise.
Auf dem Fenster sitzt ein kleines Insekt, aber ich weiß nicht, was es ist.
There is a small insect sitting on the window, but I don't know what it is.
Im Garten krabbelt ein schwarzer Käfer über das Blatt.
A black beetle is crawling over the leaf in the garden.