01
das Viech
critter
A colloquial, often derogatory term for an animal, especially an insect, pest, or unpleasant animal.
example
Was ist das für ein komisches Viech an der Wand?
What kind of weird critter is that on the wall?
das Viech
critter / brute
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Register and style
'Viech' is a strongly colloquial word. It almost always has a negative or derogatory meaning, whether it refers to an animal or a person.
EXAMPLE
Nimm dieses eklige Viech sofort aus meinem Zimmer!
Get that disgusting critter out of my room right now!
Regional usage
The word 'Viech' is especially common in southern Germany and Austria. In other regions of Germany, it is used less often.
EXAMPLE
In Bayern hört man oft das Wort „Viech“ für ein Tier.
In Bavaria, you often hear the word 'Viech' for an animal.
Word family
'Das Viech' is a singular form related to 'das Vieh' (livestock, a plural word). While 'Vieh' is neutral, 'Viech' is usually a derogatory term for a single animal.
EXAMPLE
Ein Bauer hat viel Vieh, aber eine Spinne im Bad ist für ihn ein „Viech“.
A farmer has a lot of livestock, but a spider in the bathroom is a 'Viech' (critter) to him.
Typical usage
When referring to animals, 'Viech' is often used for small, unpleasant, or unknown creatures such as insects, spiders, or mice.
EXAMPLE
Hilfe, da krabbelt ein riesiges Viech die Wand hoch!
Help, there's a huge critter crawling up the wall!
Strong insult
When a person is called a 'Viech' (brute), it is a very strong and crude insult. It describes a person who is perceived as inhuman, brutal, or disgusting.
EXAMPLE
Wer so mit seinen Kindern umgeht, ist ein herzloses Viech.
Anyone who treats their children like that is a heartless brute.
Compare with
Viech vs Tier
animal
'das Tier' and 'das Viech' can both refer to an animal, but they sound very different. 'das Tier' is neutral and works in almost all normal situations. 'das Viech' is colloquial and often negative. It is used, for example, for an annoying insect or an animal that you find unpleasant. Both words can also be used derogatorily for a person who behaves brutally or crudely. In that case, 'Viech' is especially harsh. Learners may confuse the words because they refer to similar living beings. 'Tier' is usually safer; 'Viech' should only be used when the colloquial or negative tone is really intended.
Viech
Nach dem Picknick krabbelte ein kleines Viech aus der Tasche.
After the picnic, a little critter crawled out of the bag.
Tier
Das verletzte Tier wurde vorsichtig zum Tierarzt gebracht.
The injured animal was carefully taken to the vet.
In real life
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