01
das Unterholz
undergrowth
All the low-growing plants such as bushes, shrubs, and young trees that grow beneath the larger trees in a forest.
example
Das Reh verschwand im dichten Unterholz.
The deer disappeared into the dense undergrowth.
das Unterholz
undergrowth
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'unter' (under) and 'Holz' (wood). So it literally describes what grows in the forest 'under' the large trees—namely bushes and small plants.
EXAMPLE
Ein kleiner Fuchs versteckte sich im Unterholz.
A small fox hid in the undergrowth.
Typical collocations
'Unterholz' (undergrowth) is often combined with the adjective 'dicht' (dense). Typical verbs are 'sich verstecken' (to hide) or 'verschwinden' (to disappear), often together with the preposition 'im' (in the).
EXAMPLE
Der Wanderweg führte durch dichtes Unterholz.
The hiking trail led through dense undergrowth.
Use in the singular
'Unterholz' (undergrowth) is a collective term for many plants. Therefore, the word is used almost exclusively in the singular. A plural form ('Unterhölzer') is very rare and uncommon.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sturm lag viel totes Holz im Unterholz.
After the storm, there was a lot of dead wood in the undergrowth.
Compare with
Unterholz vs Gebüsch
shrubbery
'das Gebüsch' and 'das Unterholz' both refer to low-growing plants that grow densely. 'Gebüsch' can be anywhere: in a garden, in a park, or along the side of a path. It mainly means a group of shrubs or bushes. 'Unterholz' is used especially in the forest. It means the low plants under the larger trees, that is, bushes, shrubs, and young trees. The words can be confused when you are thinking of dense greenery. As a guide: Gebüsch can also grow outside the forest, while Unterholz is typically part of a forest.
Unterholz
Im Wald war das Unterholz so dicht, dass wir den Weg kaum sehen konnten.
In the forest, the undergrowth was so dense that we could hardly see the path.
Gebüsch
Am Wochenende schneidet Frau Müller das Gebüsch am Gartenzaun.
On the weekend, Mrs. Müller trims the shrubbery by the garden fence.
In real life
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