reptile
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reptile
An animal from the class of reptiles, characterized by scaly skin, lung breathing, and usually by laying eggs. Reptiles include snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles, for example.
Die Schlange ist ein faszinierendes, aber oft gefürchtetes Reptil.
The snake is a fascinating, but often feared, reptile.
'Reptil' (reptile) is a biological technical term. You use it when referring to the animal class in general. In normal conversation, people usually name the specific animal directly.
Im Biologieunterricht lernen wir heute über Reptilien.
In biology class today, we're learning about reptiles.
To express that an animal belongs to this group, people often use the phrase 'gehört zu den Reptilien' (belongs to the reptiles) or 'ist ein Reptil' (is a reptile).
Das Krokodil gehört zu den Reptilien.
The crocodile belongs to the reptiles.
The word is very often used in the plural, 'die Reptilien' (the reptiles), to describe the entire animal class. In this case, examples are often given.
Zu den Reptilien zählen Schlangen, Krokodile und Schildkröten.
Reptiles include snakes, crocodiles, and turtles.
