das Ungetüm
monster
A large, ugly, or frightening being, especially a monster or mythical creature.
EXAMPLE
Im Märchen kämpft der Ritter gegen ein schreckliches Ungetüm.
In the fairy tale, the knight fights a terrible monster.
das Ungetüm
monster / monstrosity
das Ungetüm, die Ungetüme
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
das Ungetüm
monstrosity
A very large, unwieldy, or unusually shaped thing that is difficult to use or move.
EXAMPLE
Diese alte Maschine ist ein riesiges Ungetüm.
This old machine is a gigantic monstrosity.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Ungetüm, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Ungetüme |
| genitive | des Ungetüms |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Ungetüm | die Ungetüme |
| accusative | das Ungetüm | die Ungetüme |
| dative | dem Ungetüm | den Ungetümen |
| genitive | des Ungetüms | der Ungetüme |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Expressive style
'Ungetüm' (monster / monstrosity) is a strongly evaluative and vivid word. It often sounds disparaging or humorous and is used especially in narrative texts and spoken language.
EXAMPLE
Der neue Bürostuhl sieht wirklich wie ein Ungetüm aus.
The new office chair really looks like a monstrosity.
Context clue
The surrounding context usually quickly shows which meaning is intended: mythical beings often appear with verbs such as 'kämpfen' (to fight) or 'auftauchen' (to appear), while objects are associated with words such as 'bedienen' (to operate) or 'bewegen' (to move).
EXAMPLE
Plötzlich tauchte ein Ungetüm aus dem dunklen Wald auf.
Suddenly, a monster emerged from the dark forest.
Dieses Ungetüm lässt sich kaum durch die enge Tür bewegen.
This monstrosity can barely be moved through the narrow door.
Typical collocations
When referring to a being, 'Ungetüm' (monster) often occurs with descriptive adjectives and fairy-tale expressions: 'ein schreckliches oder furchterregendes Ungetüm' (a terrible or frightening monster), 'gegen ein Ungetüm kämpfen' (to fight a monster), or 'ein Ungetüm besiegen' (to defeat a monster).
EXAMPLE
Die Heldin musste ein furchterregendes Ungetüm besiegen.
The heroine had to defeat a frightening monster.
Large objects
For objects, 'Ungetüm' (monstrosity) is often combined with words that emphasize size, unwieldiness, or an unusual shape, such as 'riesig' (gigantic), 'klobig' (bulky), or 'technisch' (technical).
EXAMPLE
In der Ecke stand ein klobiges Ungetüm aus Metall.
In the corner stood a bulky metal monstrosity.
In real life
Loading video examples...