wasp
die Wespe, die Wespen
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wasp
A yellow-and-black striped insect with a stinger that belongs to the family of paper wasps. Wasps are known for often appearing near sweet foods and drinks in summer.
Eine Wespe ist in mein Limonadenglas geflogen.
A wasp flew into my glass of lemonade.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Wespen |
| genitive | der Wespe |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Wespe | die Wespen |
| accusative | die Wespe | die Wespen |
| dative | der Wespe | den Wespen |
| genitive | der Wespe | der Wespen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word 'Wespe' (wasp) is the basis for useful compounds. A 'Wespenstich' (wasp sting) is the painful injury caused by the insect, and a 'Wespennest' (wasp nest) is the place where wasps live.
Ein Wespenstich am Arm kann sehr schmerzhaft sein.
A wasp sting on the arm can be very painful.
In connection with wasps, the verbs 'stechen' (to sting) and 'summen' (to buzz) are often used. A typical passive construction is 'von einer Wespe gestochen werden' (to be stung by a wasp).
Pass auf, dass die Wespe dich nicht sticht!
Watch out that the wasp doesn't sting you!
Wasps are often perceived as annoying because they are attracted to sweet foods and drinks. People say that wasps 'anfliegen' (fly toward someone) or 'umschwirren' (swarm around someone).
Kaum hatte ich den Kuchen auf den Tisch gestellt, wurde ich von Wespen umschwirrt.
No sooner had I put the cake on the table than I was surrounded by wasps.
bee
Biene and Wespe are yellow-and-black striped insects and can therefore be mistaken for each other. A Biene collects nectar and is especially likely to be seen on flowers. A Wespe, by contrast, often appears near sweet foods and drinks in summer.
Auf der Terrasse sitzt eine Wespe am Rand des Saftglases.
On the patio, a wasp is sitting on the rim of the glass of juice.
Auf der Terrasse sammelt eine Biene Nektar an den Blüten.
On the patio, a bee is collecting nectar from the flowers.
