octopus
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octopus
A soft-bodied animal that lives in the sea, has eight arms (tentacles), and belongs to the group of cephalopods. Octopuses are known for their intelligence and their ability to camouflage themselves.
Im Aquarium konnten wir beobachten, wie eine Krake ihr Versteck wechselte.
At the aquarium, we were able to watch an octopus change its hiding place.
You can easily recognize the meaning of the word from the context. If people are talking about the sea, animals, or biology, the animal is meant. If it is about business, politics, or large, powerful companies, the negative metaphor is meant.
Die Krake breitete ihre acht Arme aus.
The octopus spread out its eight arms.
The metaphor of the octopus is used because the animal has many arms (tentacles) that reach in all directions. This symbolizes the far-reaching influence of an organization on many areas, often perceived as negative.
Die Bürokratie streckt ihre Tentakel wie eine Krake in alle Lebensbereiche.
The bureaucracy stretches its tentacles into every area of life like an octopus.
In a figurative sense, 'Krake' (octopus) is almost always used negatively and critically. It describes a power that is perceived as greedy, uncontrollable, and oppressive.
Der Mafia-Clan war eine Krake, die die ganze Stadt im Griff hatte.
The mafia clan was an octopus that had the whole city in its grip.
apparatus / device
'der Apparat' and 'die Krake' can both figuratively mean a large organization or a powerful system. 'Apparat' describes the structure more: many offices, rules, and procedures, often bureaucratic. It can sound neutral or critical. 'Krake' is a strongly negative metaphor. It refers to an organization that has a great deal of power and spreads its influence everywhere. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in the context of large systems. If you are speaking factually about an administration, 'Apparat' fits. If you want to criticize power and control, 'Krake' fits.
Viele Bürger sehen den Konzern als Krake, weil er immer mehr kleine Firmen übernimmt.
Many citizens see the corporation as an octopus because it is taking over more and more small companies.
Im großen Apparat der Verwaltung dauert eine einfache Antwort oft mehrere Wochen.
In the large apparatus of the administration, a simple answer often takes several weeks.