crab
die Krabbe, die Krabben
Loading your saved state.
crab
A crustacean with a short, broad shell and an abdomen folded under the body, which usually moves sideways.
Die Kinder sammelten am Strand Muscheln und beobachteten kleine Krabben.
The children collected shells on the beach and watched small crabs.
crab meat
The meat of crabs, especially shrimp, as food. It is often used for crab rolls or in salads.
An der Nordsee isst man gerne ein Brötchen mit frischen Krabben.
At the North Sea, people like to eat a roll with fresh crab meat.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Krabben |
| genitive | der Krabbe |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Krabbe | die Krabben |
| accusative | die Krabbe | die Krabben |
| dative | der Krabbe | den Krabben |
| genitive | der Krabbe | der Krabben |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The context tells you whether the animal or the food is meant. By the sea or in an aquarium, it refers to the animal. In a restaurant, on a roll, or in a supermarket, the food is meant.
Im Watt haben wir viele kleine Krabben gesehen.
We saw lots of small crabs on the tidal flats.
Ein Brötchen mit Butter und frischen Krabben ist eine Spezialität.
A roll with butter and fresh crab meat is a specialty.
Especially on the German North Sea coast, 'Krabbe' (crab) as a food refers to the North Sea shrimp. In other regions of Germany and internationally, people would be more likely to say 'Garnele' (shrimp) for this animal.
Im Urlaub an der Nordsee haben wir gelernt, wie man Krabben pult.
On vacation at the North Sea, we learned how to peel shrimp.
As a food, crab meat is an ingredient in several typical dishes. These include 'Krabbenbrötchen' (crab roll), 'Krabbensalat' (crab salad), and 'Rührei mit Krabben' (scrambled eggs with crab meat).
Zum Frühstück gab es Rührei mit Krabben und frischem Schnittlauch.
For breakfast there were scrambled eggs with crab meat and fresh chives.
cancer / crab
Krebs and Krabbe can both refer to crustaceans with shells and claws. A Krebs usually lives in water, whereas a Krabbe has a short, broad body and usually moves sideways. For an animal with large claws, Krebs is appropriate; for an animal moving sideways, Krabbe is more likely.
Am Strand beobachteten die Kinder eine Krabbe, die seitwärts lief.
At the beach, the children watched a crab moving sideways.
Im Aquarium beobachteten die Kinder einen Krebs mit großen Scheren.
The children watched a crayfish with large claws in the aquarium.
