rat
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rat
A medium-sized rodent that often lives near humans and is frequently regarded as a pest.
Der Kammerjäger musste kommen, weil wir eine Ratte im Keller hatten.
The exterminator had to come because we had a rat in the basement.
There is the well-known idiom 'Die Ratten verlassen das sinkende Schiff' (the rats leave the sinking ship). It means that disloyal people withdraw from a difficult situation in order to save themselves.
Als die Firma kurz vor der Pleite stand, verließen die besten Mitarbeiter als Erste das sinkende Schiff.
When the company was on the verge of bankruptcy, the best employees were the first to leave the sinking ship.
The word 'Rattenschwanz' (rat tail) colloquially refers to a long chain of unpleasant consequences caused by a single action.
Die Entscheidung hatte einen langen Rattenschwanz an Problemen zur Folge.
The decision resulted in a long chain of problems.
Using 'Ratte' (rat) for a person is a very strong and insulting slur. It is used only in informal colloquial language and expresses deep contempt.
Er nannte ihn eine Ratte, nachdem er von dem Verrat erfahren hatte.
He called him a rat after he found out about the betrayal.
As an insult, 'Ratte' (rat) is often combined with adjectives that describe a bad character. Typical phrases are 'feige Ratte' (cowardly rat), 'hinterhältige Ratte' (sneaky rat), or 'falsche Ratte' (two-faced rat).
Sie hat mich bei der Chefin schlecht gemacht, so eine hinterhältige Ratte!
She bad-mouthed me to the boss—what a sneaky rat!
mouse
'die Maus' and 'die Ratte' both refer to rodents that can also live near humans. That is why learners may confuse them. The most important difference is size and the typical image: a mouse is small and has a long tail. A rat is significantly larger and is often seen more strongly as a pest. If you see a small animal in the kitchen, you would be more likely to say 'Maus'; for a larger animal in the basement or near trash areas, 'Ratte' is more likely.
Am Fluss sahen wir eine Ratte neben den Mülltonnen.
By the river, we saw a rat next to the trash cans.
In der Küche ist eine Maus unter den Schrank gelaufen.
A mouse ran under the cupboard in the kitchen.