mole
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mole
A small mammal that lives underground and is known for its digging activity and the mounds of earth it creates.
Ein Maulwurf hat in unserem Garten mehrere Hügel aufgeworfen.
A mole has thrown up several mounds in our garden.
mole
A person who secretly works inside an organization in order to pass information to an external, often opposing party; a spy or informant.
Die Ermittler waren sich sicher, dass es einen Maulwurf in der Abteilung geben musste.
The investigators were sure that there had to be a mole in the department.
The word is made up of 'das Maul' (mouth/snout of animals) and 'der Wurf' (from 'werfen', to throw). The name figuratively describes how the animal 'throws' the earth with its snout.
Die typischen Erdhügel im Rasen sind das Werk eines Maulwurfs.
The typical mounds of earth in the lawn are the work of a mole.
The figurative meaning 'Spion' (spy) comes from the animal's behavior: a mole works secretly and invisibly 'under the ground' or within an organization. The context (company, government, secrets) makes this meaning clear.
Die Polizei vermutet einen Maulwurf in den eigenen Reihen.
The police suspect a mole in their own ranks.
In connection with the animal, people often talk about 'Maulwurfshügel' (molehills). Typical verbs are 'graben' (to dig) or 'einen Maulwurf im Garten haben' (to have a mole in the garden).
Der Maulwurf gräbt lange Gänge unter unserem Rasen.
The mole digs long tunnels under our lawn.
In the meaning of 'Spion' (spy), the word is often used with verbs such as 'einschleusen' (to plant someone secretly), 'enttarnen' (to expose someone's identity), or 'entdecken' (to discover).
Nach monatelangen Ermittlungen konnte der Maulwurf endlich enttarnt werden.
After months of investigations, the mole was finally exposed.
insider
Insider and Maulwurf both belong to an organization and know internal information. An Insider has this knowledge through their affiliation, without necessarily having to reveal it. A Maulwurf, by contrast, secretly works for an external party and passes information on to it.
Als Maulwurf gibt Martin die vertraulichen Pläne heimlich an die Konkurrenz weiter.
As a mole, Martin secretly passes the company's confidential plans on to the competition.
Als Insider kennt Martin die vertraulichen Pläne der Firma.
As an insider, Martin knows the company's confidential plans.
