moth
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moth
A nocturnal insect that resembles a butterfly. In everyday language, this often refers to clothes moths, whose larvae eat holes in textiles made of wool or silk.
Ich habe eine Motte in meinem Kleiderschrank entdeckt und fürchte nun um meine Wollpullover.
I discovered a moth in my wardrobe and now fear for my wool sweaters.
pantry moth
A specific type of moth whose larvae infest dry foods such as flour, cereal, or nuts (pantry moth).
Wir mussten die ganze Packung Mehl wegwerfen, weil wir Motten darin gefunden hatten.
We had to throw away the whole package of flour because we had found moths in it.
to go crazy
A colloquial idiom meaning to become very angry, nervous, or desperate.
Wenn ich noch länger auf den Techniker warten muss, kriege ich die Motten!
If I have to wait any longer for the technician, I'm going to go crazy!
Whether a clothes moth (m01) or a pantry moth (m02) is meant is revealed by the context. Words like 'Kleiderschrank' (wardrobe) or 'Wolle' (wool) point to clothes moths, while 'Küche' (kitchen) or 'Mehl' (flour) point to pantry moths.
Ich habe alle meine Wollschals kontrolliert, nachdem ich eine Motte im Schrank sah.
I checked all my wool scarves after I saw a moth in the wardrobe.
In everyday language, the more precise compound words 'Kleidermotte' (clothes moth) and 'Lebensmittelmotte' (pantry moth) are often used to avoid misunderstandings.
Gegen Kleidermotten helfen oft Zedernholz oder Lavendelsäckchen.
Cedar wood or little lavender bags often help against clothes moths.
The expression 'etwas in die Mottenkiste packen' means to consider something old-fashioned and no longer relevant. The 'Mottenkiste' (moth box) is a symbolic place for outdated things.
Diese alten Ideen kannst du wirklich in die Mottenkiste packen.
You can really put those old ideas in the moth box.
The expression 'die Motten kriegen' (to go crazy) is a fixed unit. It expresses that someone is becoming extremely angry, annoyed, or impatient.
Bei dieser lauten Musik kriege ich die Motten!
This loud music is driving me crazy!
The expression 'die Motten kriegen' (to go crazy) clearly belongs to colloquial language. You would not use it in formal situations or in written language.
Ich warte schon eine Stunde auf den Bus. Langsam kriege ich die Motten.
I've been waiting for the bus for an hour. I'm slowly going crazy.
butterfly / moth
„Falter“ is the broader and more neutral term for butterflies and moths. „Motte“ refers more specifically to a usually nocturnal moth and is commonly used for small species that are often regarded as pests. Such an insect can therefore be called by either word.
An der Wand sitzt eine kleine Motte aus dem Kleiderschrank.
A small clothes moth from the closet is sitting on the wall.
An der Wand sitzt ein kleiner unscheinbarer Falter.
A small, inconspicuous moth is sitting on the wall.
