Easter egg
das Osterei, die Ostereier
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Easter egg
A colorfully painted or decorated egg that is traditionally given as a gift or hidden at Easter. It can be a real hen's egg or a replica made of chocolate, sugar, or plastic.
Die Kinder liefen am Ostersonntag aufgeregt durch den Garten, um die versteckten Ostereier zu suchen.
On Easter Sunday, the children ran excitedly through the garden looking for the hidden Easter eggs.
Easter egg
A hidden, undocumented feature, message, or joke in a computer program, film, book, or on a website. The German term is a loan translation of the English 'Easter egg'.
Wenn man in der Software eine bestimmte Tastenkombination drückt, erscheint ein kleines Spiel als Osterei.
If you press a certain key combination in the software, a small game appears as an Easter egg.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Ostereier |
| genitive | des Ostereies |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Osterei | die Ostereier |
| accusative | das Osterei | die Ostereier |
| dative | dem Osterei | den Ostereiern |
| genitive | des Ostereies | der Ostereier |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Osterei' (Easter egg) is a simple compound of 'Ostern' (Easter) and 'Ei' (egg). The '-er-' is a linking element that connects the two words. Literally, then, it simply means 'egg for Easter'.
Jedes Kind bekam ein großes Schokoladen-Osterei.
Each child got a large chocolate Easter egg.
In connection with the Easter tradition, certain verbs are often used: children 'suchen' (look for) Easter eggs that were previously 'versteckt' (hidden). Before the holiday, the eggs are 'gefärbt' (dyed) or 'bemalt' (painted).
Wir haben gestern mit den Kindern Ostereier für das Fest bemalt.
Yesterday we painted Easter eggs with the children for the holiday.
Die Großeltern haben im Garten viele Ostereier versteckt.
The grandparents hid lots of Easter eggs in the garden.
The second meaning is a direct adoption from English ('Easter egg'). It is used exclusively in the context of media such as software, video games, or films for a hidden surprise.
Der Entwickler hat ein lustiges Osterei im Programmcode hinterlassen.
The developer left a funny Easter egg in the program code.
Looking for Easter eggs is a central custom of the Easter holiday in Germany, especially for children. According to tradition, the eggs are brought and hidden by the 'Osterhase' (Easter Bunny).
Mein Neffe glaubt fest daran, dass der Osterhase die Ostereier bringt.
My nephew firmly believes that the Easter Bunny brings the Easter eggs.
