das Kamel
camel
A large mammal with one or two humps that lives in desert regions and is often used as a pack and riding animal.
EXAMPLE
In der Wüste sahen wir eine Karawane mit vielen Kamelen.
In the desert, we saw a caravan with many camels.
das Kamel
camel
das Kamel, die Kamele
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Meanings
das Kamel
idiot
Colloquially and derogatorily, a term for a stupid, clumsy, or stubborn person.
EXAMPLE
Du Kamel, jetzt hast du schon wieder den falschen Knopf gedrückt!
You idiot, now you've pressed the wrong button again!
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Kamel, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Kamele |
| genitive | des Kamels |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Kamel | die Kamele |
| accusative | das Kamel | die Kamele |
| dative | dem Kamel | den Kamelen |
| genitive | des Kamels des Kameles | der Kamele |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
Whether the animal or the insult is meant becomes clear immediately from context. If you are talking about a desert, a zoo, or a trip, the animal is meant. In an argument or in a frustrated remark about a person, it is an insult.
EXAMPLE
Im Zoo haben wir die Kamele gefüttert.
At the zoo, we fed the camels.
Typical collocations
When referring to the animal, 'Kamel' (camel) is often used in connection with words like 'Wüste' (desert), 'Karawane' (caravan), 'Höcker' (hump), or the verb 'reiten' (to ride).
EXAMPLE
Die Touristen ritten auf Kamelen durch die Wüste.
The tourists rode camels through the desert.
As an insult
As an insult, 'Kamel' (idiot) is colloquial and expresses that someone is seen as stupid or clumsy. It is often used as a direct exclamation.
EXAMPLE
So ein Kamel! Jetzt hat er den Kaffee verschüttet.
What an idiot! Now he's spilled the coffee.
Grammar note
Even when 'Kamel' (idiot) is used to insult a man, the word keeps its neuter gender. You say 'Er ist ein Kamel' (He is an idiot), not 'Er ist einER Kamel.'
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder hat meinen Geburtstag vergessen, er ist so ein Kamel.
My brother forgot my birthday; he is such an idiot.
Compare with
Kamel vs Esel
donkey
Both words are derogatory terms for a stupid, clumsy, or stubborn person. Esel is a commonly used general insult, whereas Kamel sounds distinctly colloquial and often expresses particular anger. Esel is more suitable in more neutral everyday speech, while Kamel can be used in a rougher, spontaneous reaction.
Kamel
Du Kamel, du hast den Schlüssel schon wieder vergessen.
You idiot, you forgot the key again.
Esel
Du Esel, du hast den Schlüssel schon wieder vergessen.
You idiot, you forgot the key again.
In real life
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