der Moder
mold / decay
Decay caused by dampness and the musty, stale smell that develops with it.
EXAMPLE
Aus dem alten Keller drang der Moder herauf.
The musty smell of decay rose from the old cellar.
der Moder
mold / decay
der Moder
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Meanings
der Moder
rotting organic matter
Decayed or decomposing organic matter, especially in damp soil or on dead plants.
EXAMPLE
Unter den nassen Blättern bildete sich dunkler Moder.
Dark, rotting organic matter had formed beneath the wet leaves.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Moder, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Moders |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Moder | – |
| accusative | den Moder | – |
| dative | dem Moder | – |
| genitive | des Moders | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Style and atmosphere
'Moder' (mold / decay) is often used in descriptive texts about old buildings, damp rooms, or nature. Especially in stories, the word can help create an eerie or oppressive atmosphere.
EXAMPLE
Im verlassenen Haus waren die Vorhänge von Moder und Feuchtigkeit zerfressen.
In the abandoned house, the curtains had been eaten away by mold and dampness.
Describing smells
A typical collocation is 'nach Moder riechen' (to smell of mold / decay). 'Nach' is followed by the dative; with 'Moder', the article is usually omitted in this expression.
EXAMPLE
Die Decken in der alten Truhe rochen nach Moder.
The blankets in the old chest smelled of mold.
The result of decomposition
'Zu Moder zerfallen' (to decompose into decay) describes what remains after a long process of decomposition. 'Zu Moder' indicates the result of the process.
EXAMPLE
Die Holzbalken waren nach vielen Jahren zu Moder zerfallen.
After many years, the wooden beams had decomposed into rotting matter.
In real life
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