mob / pack
die Meute, die Meuten
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mob
(derogatory) A loud, uncontrolled, and often aggressive crowd of people. The term is used to describe a group of people negatively as a chaotic bunch.
Eine Meute von Reportern stürzte sich auf den Politiker, als er das Gebäude verließ.
A mob of reporters descended on the politician as he left the building.
pack
A group of dogs that has been specially bred and trained to hunt game together.
Der Jäger führte seine Meute zur Fuchshatz in den Wald.
The hunter led his pack into the forest for the fox hunt.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Meuten |
| genitive | der Meute |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Meute | die Meuten |
| accusative | die Meute | die Meuten |
| dative | der Meute | den Meuten |
| genitive | der Meute | der Meuten |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The context makes the meaning clear: If people are talking about dogs and hunting, it means a group of hunting dogs. If people are talking about humans, it means an uncontrolled, aggressive crowd.
Eine Meute von Schaulustigen blockierte die Unfallstelle.
A mob of onlookers blocked the accident site.
When 'Meute' is used for people, it is always strongly derogatory and negative. It does not describe a neutral group, but rather a chaotic, threatening, or wild bunch.
Der Star wurde von einer Meute aufdringlicher Fans verfolgt.
The star was followed by a mob of pushy fans.
For people, 'Meute' is often used in the form 'eine Meute von ...' (a mob of ...). Typical examples are 'eine Meute von Journalisten' (a mob of journalists), '... von Fans' (... of fans), or '... von Kindern' (... of children).
Eine laute Meute von Kindern stürmte auf den Spielplatz.
A loud mob of children stormed onto the playground.
rabble / pack
Pack and Meute can both be strongly derogatory terms for a group of people. Pack mainly insults the people themselves as contemptible. Meute, by contrast, emphasizes their loud, uncontrolled, or aggressive behavior as a group, especially when they are pursuing or harassing someone.
Die aggressive Meute verfolgte geschlossen einen Passanten durch die Straße.
The aggressive mob pursued a passerby together down the street.
Der Anwohner beschimpfte die randalierende Gruppe als Pack.
The resident called the rioting group rabble.
