die Ratte
rat
A medium-sized rodent that often lives near humans and is frequently regarded as a pest.
EXAMPLE
Der Kammerjäger musste kommen, weil wir eine Ratte im Keller hatten.
The exterminator had to come because we had a rat in the basement.
die Ratte
rat
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Meanings
die Ratte
rat
A strongly derogatory term for a person considered sneaky, treacherous, or lacking in character.
EXAMPLE
Er hat seine besten Freunde belogen, so eine miese Ratte!
He lied to his best friends—what a rotten rat!
Usage tips
Fixed expression
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.
EXAMPLE
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.
Compound word
The word 'Rattenschwanz' (rat tail) colloquially refers to a long chain of unpleasant consequences caused by a single action.
EXAMPLE
Die Entscheidung hatte einen langen Rattenschwanz an Problemen zur Folge.
The decision resulted in a long chain of problems.
Register and style
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.
EXAMPLE
Er nannte ihn eine Ratte, nachdem er von dem Verrat erfahren hatte.
He called him a rat after he found out about the betrayal.
Typical collocations
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).
EXAMPLE
Sie hat mich bei der Chefin schlecht gemacht, so eine hinterhältige Ratte!
She bad-mouthed me to the boss—what a sneaky rat!
Compare with
Ratte vs Verräter
traitor
Ratte and Verräter can both refer to a person after a breach of trust. Verräter specifically identifies the disloyal act, while Ratte is a strongly derogatory insult for the person’s character or behavior. Use Verräter objectively and Ratte as an insulting judgment.
Ratte
Nach dem Verrat nannte der wütende Mann seinen ehemaligen Freund eine Ratte.
After the betrayal, the angry man called his former friend a rat.
Verräter
Weil er das Geheimnis der Gruppe preisgab, galt er als Verräter.
Because he revealed the group’s secret, he was considered a traitor.
In real life
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