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
das Viech
brute
A colloquial, strongly derogatory term for a person perceived as crude, brutal, or disgusting.
EXAMPLE
Er hat seine Familie schlecht behandelt, ein richtiges Viech.
He treated his family badly, a real brute.
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 Vieh
livestock / brute
Both words can be used crudely in reference to animals, but they usually focus on different things. Vieh typically refers to farm animals as a group, while Viech often means a single annoying or disgusting animal. Vieh fits animals on a farm, while Viech is more suitable for a single bothersome animal.
Viech
Dieses Viech hat die ganze Nacht in meinem Schlafzimmer gesummt.
That critter buzzed around my bedroom all night.
Vieh
Der Bauer versorgte das Vieh am frühen Morgen im Stall.
The farmer tended to the livestock in the stable early in the morning.
In real life
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