louse
die Laus, die Läuse
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louse
A small, wingless insect that lives as a parasite on the skin or in the hair of humans and other mammals.
Nach der Klassenfahrt mussten alle Kinder auf Läuse untersucht werden.
After the class trip, all the children had to be checked for lice.
to be in a bad mood
A fixed idiom meaning that someone is in a bad mood, grumpy, or annoyed for no obvious reason.
Sprich ihn heute besser nicht an, ihm ist anscheinend eine Laus über die Leber gelaufen.
Better not talk to him today; he seems to be in a bad mood.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Läuse |
| genitive | der Laus |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Laus | die Läuse |
| accusative | die Laus | die Läuse |
| dative | der Laus | den Läusen |
| genitive | der Laus | der Läuse |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The idiom 'jemandem ist eine Laus über die Leber gelaufen' (someone is in a bad mood; literally, a louse has run over someone's liver) always requires a person in the dative. This person is the one who is in a bad mood.
Was ist denn los mit dir? Ist dir eine Laus über die Leber gelaufen?
What's wrong with you? Are you in a bad mood?
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fixed combination with the word 'Leber' (liver). Without this part of the sentence, 'Laus' (louse) always refers to the insect.
Mein Chef war heute unerträglich. Ich glaube, dem ist eine Laus über die Leber gelaufen.
My boss was unbearable today. I think he's in a bad mood.
In connection with the insect, 'Laus' (louse) is often used with the verbs 'haben' (to have) or 'bekommen' (to get). A common phrase is also 'jemanden auf Läuse untersuchen' (to check someone for lice).
Der Kindergarten hat uns informiert, dass einige Kinder Läuse haben.
The kindergarten informed us that some children have lice.
flea
A flea and a louse are both small, wingless parasites. A flea can jump and infests humans or animals, whereas a louse lives in the hair or on the skin of its host. The way it moves and its typical location help you choose the right word.
Im Haar des Kindes entdeckte die Ärztin eine fest sitzende Laus.
The doctor discovered a firmly attached louse in the child's hair.
Im Fell des Hundes entdeckte die Tierärztin einen springenden Floh.
The veterinarian discovered a jumping flea in the dog's fur.
