Marienkäfer
The German word for ladybug is Marienkäfer.
The term refers to a small, round beetle, typically red with black spots.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound consisting of Maria (Mary) and Käfer (beetle), literally meaning 'Mary's beetle'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavaria, a ladybug is referred to as Himmelschäferle.
How does it change in a sentence?
Marienkäfer is used for both the singular and the plural forms. As a masculine noun, it takes the ending '-en' when it is the direct object of a sentence, appearing as den Marienkäfer for 'the ladybug' or einen Marienkäfer for 'a ladybug'.
Did you know?
- While Käfer means 'beetle', it is also the German word for the 'Volkswagen Beetle' car.
- In German folklore, a Marienkäfer landing on a person is often seen as a sign of good luck or a messenger from the heavens.
- The Bavarian term Himmelschäferle translates more closely to 'little shepherd of heaven'.
Examples in context
- Ein leuchtend roter Marienkäfer landete auf meiner Fingerkuppe.A bright red ladybug landed on my fingertip.This sentence illustrates the use of Marienkäfer to describe a beetle landing on a fingertip.Tatoeba #3104469 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #638265 by darinmex
- Auf dem Tisch gab es eine Marienkäfer.There was a ladybug on the table.This sentence shows the use of Marienkäfer to indicate a ladybug's location on a table.Tatoeba #10459575 by koala, translation #9358514 by MarijnKp
- Schau mal, ein Marienkäferchen!Look, a little ladybug!
- Siehst du den kleinen Marienkäfer dort?Do you see the small ladybug there?
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are walking in a garden.
- LukasSchau mal, Sarah, ein Marienkäfer!Look, Sarah, a ladybug!
- SarahOh, der ist wirklich niedlich.Oh, that is really cute.
- LukasEr krabbelt ganz langsam auf dem Blatt.He is crawling very slowly on the leaf.
- SarahLass ihn bitte in Ruhe.Please leave him alone.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
