das Wespennest
wasp nest
The nest where wasps live and raise their young.
EXAMPLE
Unter dem Dach haben die Wespen ein großes Wespennest gebaut.
The wasps have built a large wasp nest under the roof.
das Wespennest
wasp nest
das Wespennest, die Wespennester
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Meanings
das Wespennest
hornet's nest
A very difficult or conflict-ridden situation that one gets into through an action or uncovers.
EXAMPLE
Mit seiner Beschwerde hat er in ein wahres Wespennest gestochen.
With his complaint, he stirred up a real hornet's nest.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Wespennest, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Wespennester |
| genitive | des Wespennestes |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Wespennest | die Wespennester |
| accusative | das Wespennest | die Wespennester |
| dative | dem Wespennest | den Wespennestern |
| genitive | des Wespennestes des Wespennests | der Wespennester |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound words
The word combines „Wespe“ (wasp) with „Nest“ (nest) and literally refers to a nest of wasps. Recognizing the compound helps you understand the concrete meaning right away.
EXAMPLE
Hinter dem Schuppen haben wir ein riesiges Wespennest entdeckt.
We discovered a huge wasp nest behind the shed.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, „Wespennest“ (wasp nest) often occurs with verbs such as „entdecken“ (to discover), „entfernen“ (to remove), or „zerstören“ (to destroy). Location phrases such as „unter dem Dach“ (under the roof) or „im Garten“ (in the garden) are also common.
EXAMPLE
Ein Fachmann soll das Wespennest unter dem Dach entfernen.
A professional should remove the wasp nest under the roof.
Fixed expression
In its figurative meaning, „Wespennest“ (hornet's nest) is especially common in the expression „in ein Wespennest stechen“ (to stir up a hornet's nest). It describes an action that causes many new conflicts or problems.
EXAMPLE
Mit seinem öffentlichen Bericht hat der Journalist in ein Wespennest gestochen.
With his public report, the journalist stirred up a hornet's nest.
In real life
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