die Raupe
caterpillar
The larval stage of a butterfly or moth, which feeds on plants before it pupates.
EXAMPLE
Aus der kleinen Raupe wird später ein wunderschöner Schmetterling.
The little caterpillar will later become a beautiful butterfly.
die Raupe
caterpillar / track
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Meanings
die Raupe
track
A continuous track used on heavy vehicles such as tanks or construction machines instead of wheels. Colloquially, the whole vehicle, for example a bulldozer, is often also called this.
EXAMPLE
Der Bagger fuhr mit seinen lauten Raupen über die Baustelle.
The excavator drove across the construction site on its loud tracks.
Usage tips
Context clue
You can tell from the context whether the animal larva or the vehicle part is meant. Words like 'Schmetterling' (butterfly), 'Blatt' (leaf), or 'fressen' (to eat, for animals) point to the animal. Words like 'Bagger' (excavator), 'Panzer' (tank), or 'Baustelle' (construction site) point to the technical meaning.
EXAMPLE
Die Raupe frisst ein Loch in das Blatt.
The caterpillar eats a hole in the leaf.
Cultural context
In Germany, every child knows 'Die kleine Raupe Nimmersatt' (The Very Hungry Caterpillar), a famous picture book. The word is therefore very familiar even to small children.
EXAMPLE
Mein Sohn liebt die Geschichte von der kleinen Raupe, die sich in einen Schmetterling verwandelt.
My son loves the story about the little caterpillar that turns into a butterfly.
Colloquial usage
In colloquial speech, the entire vehicle that has caterpillar tracks is often referred to as a 'Raupe' (tracked vehicle), especially a bulldozer on a construction site.
EXAMPLE
Der Bauarbeiter steuerte die Raupe geschickt über das unebene Gelände.
The construction worker skillfully steered the bulldozer over the uneven terrain.
Compare with
Raupe vs Larve
larva / mask
Larve and Raupe both refer to an immature stage in an animal’s development. Larve is the more general term for many animals, while Raupe specifically refers to the larval stage of a butterfly or moth. Use Raupe for butterflies and moths; otherwise, the more general term Larve is often appropriate.
Raupe
Die Raupe frisst viele Blätter, bevor sie sich verpuppt.
The caterpillar eats many leaves before it pupates.
Larve
Die Larve entwickelt sich später zu einem erwachsenen Insekt.
The larva later develops into an adult insect.
In real life
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