die Vogelscheuche
scarecrow
A humanlike figure placed in a field to keep birds away from plants.
EXAMPLE
Der Bauer stellte eine Vogelscheuche zwischen die jungen Maispflanzen.
The farmer placed a scarecrow among the young corn plants.
die Vogelscheuche
scarecrow
die Vogelscheuche, die Vogelscheuchen
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Meanings
die Vogelscheuche
scarecrow
A derogatory term for a person, usually a woman, who looks very ugly or unkempt.
EXAMPLE
Mit ihren zerzausten Haaren und der alten Kleidung sah sie wie eine Vogelscheuche aus.
With her disheveled hair and old clothes, she looked like a scarecrow.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Vogelscheuche, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Vogelscheuchen |
| genitive | der Vogelscheuche |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Vogelscheuche | die Vogelscheuchen |
| accusative | die Vogelscheuche | die Vogelscheuchen |
| dative | der Vogelscheuche | den Vogelscheuchen |
| genitive | der Vogelscheuche | der Vogelscheuchen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Vogelscheuche' (scarecrow) consists of 'Vogel' (bird) and 'Scheuche' (something that scares things away). The component 'Scheuche' is related to the verb 'scheuchen' (to shoo away): the figure is intended to make birds fly away.
EXAMPLE
Die Vogelscheuche im Gemüsebeet soll verhindern, dass Vögel die Samen fressen.
The scarecrow in the vegetable patch is meant to stop birds from eating the seeds.
Typical collocations
Typical phrases include 'eine Vogelscheuche bauen' (to build a scarecrow), 'eine Vogelscheuche aufstellen' (to put up a scarecrow), and 'Vögel mit einer Vogelscheuche vertreiben' (to drive birds away with a scarecrow). Common phrases describing its location include 'auf dem Feld' (in the field) and 'im Garten' (in the garden).
EXAMPLE
Wir haben im Garten eine Vogelscheuche aufgestellt, um die Erdbeeren zu schützen.
We put up a scarecrow in the garden to protect the strawberries.
Comparing people
The pattern 'wie eine Vogelscheuche aussehen' (to look like a scarecrow) is commonly used to comment on someone's appearance. This comparison can be very hurtful when used about other people; people sometimes use it jokingly about themselves.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Gartenarbeit sehe ich mit meinen wilden Haaren und den schmutzigen Sachen wie eine Vogelscheuche aus.
After gardening, I look like a scarecrow with my wild hair and dirty clothes.
In real life
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