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
das Unterholz, die Unterhölzer
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Unterholz, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Unterhölzer |
| genitive | des Unterholzes |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Unterholz | die Unterhölzer |
| accusative | das Unterholz | die Unterhölzer |
| dative | dem Unterholz | den Unterhölzern |
| genitive | des Unterholzes | der Unterhölzer |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
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.
Die Vögel bauen ihre Nester gern im Schutz des Unterholzes.
The birds like to build their nests in the shelter of the 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 Gestrüpp
undergrowth
Unterholz and Gestrüpp can both consist of low bushes and young trees. Unterholz is defined by its location beneath the large trees in a forest, whereas Gestrüpp emphasizes dense, tangled growth that is difficult to move through.
Unterholz
Unter den hohen Buchen wächst dichtes Unterholz aus Sträuchern und jungen Bäumen.
Dense undergrowth of shrubs and young trees grows beneath the tall beech trees.
Gestrüpp
Zwischen den hohen Buchen versperrt dichtes Gestrüpp den schmalen Weg.
Dense thickets block the narrow path between the tall beech trees.
In real life
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