das Monster
monster
A frightening, often ugly and large mythical creature.
EXAMPLE
In vielen alten Sagen kämpft ein Held gegen ein schreckliches Monster.
In many old legends, a hero fights against a terrible monster.
das Monster
monster
das Monster, die Monster
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Meanings
das Monster
monster
A person who acts in an extremely cruel and inhuman way.
EXAMPLE
Die Medien bezeichneten den Serienmörder als Monster.
The media called the serial killer a monster.
das Monster
monster
A colloquial term for something that is unusually large, powerful, or complex.
EXAMPLE
Dieser neue Computer ist ein echtes Monster, was die Rechenleistung angeht.
This new computer is a real monster when it comes to processing power.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Monster, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Monster |
| genitive | des Monsters |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Monster | die Monster |
| accusative | das Monster | die Monster |
| dative | dem Monster | den Monstern |
| genitive | des Monsters | der Monster |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
Whether 'Monster' (monster) means a mythical creature, a cruel person, or something large is revealed by the context. Mythical creatures appear in stories, cruel people in reports about crimes, and large things often in connection with technology or performance.
EXAMPLE
Im Märchen besiegt der Prinz das Monster.
In the fairy tale, the prince defeats the monster.
Der neue Wolkenkratzer ist ein echtes Monster aus Stahl und Glas.
The new skyscraper is a real monster of steel and glass.
Typical adjectives
In the meaning of a mythical creature, 'Monster' (monster) is often combined with strong adjectives that express fear or horror. Typical combinations are 'ein schreckliches Monster' (a terrible monster), 'ein furchtbares Monster' (a dreadful monster), or 'ein gruseliges Monster' (a creepy monster).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder hatten Angst vor dem gruseligen Monster unter dem Bett.
The children were afraid of the creepy monster under the bed.
Metaphorical use
When a person is described as a 'Monster' (monster), this happens in a context of extreme cruelty or inhumanity. The formulation 'jemanden als Monster bezeichnen' (to call someone a monster) is often used.
EXAMPLE
Nach seinen Taten wurde er in der Presse als Monster dargestellt.
After his actions, he was portrayed as a monster in the press.
Colloquial use
Colloquially, 'Monster' (monster) can describe something very large, powerful, or complicated. It is often intensified by words like 'echt' (real/really) or 'wirklich' (really), and here it can have an impressed or even approving connotation.
EXAMPLE
Sein neuer Gaming-PC ist ein echtes Monster.
His new gaming PC is a real monster.
Compare with
Monster vs ungeheuer
enormous / extremely
“Monster” directly refers to a frightening mythical creature as a noun. “Ungeheuer,” on the other hand, describes something as frightening or monstrous as an adjective, and often sounds more narrative or judgmental. Use “Monster” for the creature itself and “ungeheuer” for its effect or appearance.
Monster
In der Geschichte erschien ein Monster aus dem dunklen Wald.
In the story, a monster emerged from the dark forest.
ungeheuer
Das Wesen aus dem dunklen Wald wirkte ungeheuer.
The creature from the dark forest seemed monstrous.
In real life
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