01
der Schmetterling
butterfly
An insect with two pairs of large, often brightly colored wings that develops from a caterpillar.
example
Ein bunter Schmetterling landete auf der Blüte.
A colorful butterfly landed on the flower.
der Schmetterling
butterfly
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'Schmetterling' (butterfly) from the context. If people are talking about nature, flowers, or insects, the animal is meant. In the context of sports, a swimming pool, or a competition, the swimming stroke is meant.
EXAMPLE
Im Sommer fliegen viele Schmetterlinge im Garten.
In summer, many butterflies fly around in the garden.
Typical verbs
When 'Schmetterling' (butterfly) is meant as an insect, it is often used with the verbs 'fliegen' (to fly), 'flattern' (to flutter), or 'landen' (to land).
EXAMPLE
Ein gelber Schmetterling flattert von Blüte zu Blüte.
A yellow butterfly flutters from flower to flower.
Use in sports
As a swimming stroke, 'Schmetterling' (butterfly) is often used without an article and in combination with a distance.
EXAMPLE
Er schwimmt die 100 Meter Schmetterling in unter einer Minute.
He swims the 100-meter butterfly in under a minute.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'Schmetterlinge im Bauch haben' (to have butterflies in one's stomach) is a fixed unit. It describes the feeling of being in love and is always used in this form.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem ersten Date hatte ich totale Schmetterlinge im Bauch.
Before the first date, I had total butterflies in my stomach.
Compare with
Schmetterling vs Admiral
admiral
'Admiral' and 'Schmetterling' can be connected because 'Admiral' is also the name of a specific butterfly. 'Schmetterling' is the general term for such insects. 'Admiral', on the other hand, is either a high rank in the navy or, in a nature context, a specific species of butterfly. The words can be confusing because 'Admiral' first sounds like a military word. When the topic is animals, gardens, or nature, 'der Admiral' usually means the butterfly with dark wings and an orange-red band.
Schmetterling
Ein gelber Schmetterling flog langsam über die Wiese.
A yellow butterfly flew slowly over the meadow.
Admiral
Auf der Blume saß ein Admiral mit schwarzen Flügeln und einer roten Binde.
A red admiral with black wings and a red band was sitting on the flower.
In real life
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