Rennmaus
/ˈʁɛnˌmaʊ̯s/feminine
The English phrase gerbil is translated into German as Rennmaus. If unsure, use Rennmaus. Wiktionary also lists Wüstenrennmaus and mongolische Rennmaus.
Meaning: small rodent (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rennmaus | /ˈʁɛnˌmaʊ̯s/ | feminine |
| Wüstenrennmaus | feminine | |
| mongolische Rennmaus | feminine |
The term refers to the small rodent.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural Rennmäuse (gerbils), the vowel in the first part of the compound is changed.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʁɛnˌmaʊ̯s/
Did you know?
- Unlike 'gerbil', which comes from the Latin 'gerbillus', the German term ignores the Latin root entirely in favor of a descriptive name.
- While English uses 'gerbil' for various species, German uses Wüstenrennmaus specifically to highlight that these rodents are 'desert racing mice'.
- The name Rennmaus literally translates to 'run mouse', reflecting the rodent's high-speed movements.
Examples in context
- Ich habe mir gestern eine Wüstenrennmaus gekauft.I bought a gerbil yesterday.
- Die Rennmaus ist sehr flink.The gerbil is very quick.
- Ich habe eine kleine Rennmaus gekauft.I bought a small gerbil.
- Die Rennmaus schläft in ihrem Nest.The gerbil is sleeping in its nest.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new pet in the living room.
- MaximilianIst das deine neue Rennmaus?Is that your new gerbil?
- HannahJa, sie ist sehr süß.Yes, she is very cute.
- MaximilianWie heißt die kleine Rennmaus?What is the little gerbil's name?
- HannahSie heißt Luna.Her name is Luna.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gerbil” translations and entries Rennmaus, Wüstenrennmaus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Rennmaus, Wüstenrennmaus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
