Ratte
/ˈʁatə/feminine, masculine
The English word 'rat' is translated into German as Ratte. Wiktionary also lists Ratz and Ratze.
Meaning: rodent (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ratte | /ˈʁatə/ | feminine, masculine |
| Ratz | feminine, masculine, regional | |
| Ratze | colloquial, feminine, masculine, regional | |
| Rättin | feminine | |
| Rattenmännchen | masculine, neuter | |
| Rattenweibchen | feminine, neuter |
While Ratte refers to the animal itself, it is related to the verb verraten, which means to betray or to 'rat someone out'.
Which one should you use?
The related verb verraten is used when you want to say someone is telling on another person.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term Ratze is a colloquial or slang term for a rat.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Ratz is a regional variation of the word for rat. Similarly, Ratze is used as a regional term.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Ratte is feminine, so it takes the feminine article die (die Ratte). The plural form of Ratte is Ratten.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʁatə/
Did you know?
- The phrase Rattenjagd refers to a 'rat hunt' but is often used figuratively to describe a cutthroat, competitive environment where people fight for success.
- The term Rattenfänger refers to a 'rat catcher' and is globally famous due to the legend of the Rattenfänger von Hameln, known in English as the Pied Piper of Hamelin.
- In German, the word Ratte is used in the idiom Rattenloch, which literally means 'rat hole' but is used to describe a tiny, cramped, or dirty apartment.
Examples in context
- Die Ratte ist braun.The rat is brown.This sentence is useful for describing the color of the Ratte.Tatoeba #4189483 by Wuzzy, translation #13045030 by araneo
- Ich äße nie eine Ratte.I'd never eat a rat.This sentence is useful for expressing that you would never eat a Ratte.Tatoeba #12570449 by Waldelfe, translation #12284488 by CK
- Die Ratte ist ein Nagetier.The rat is a rodent.This sentence is useful for defining the Ratte as a rodent.Tatoeba #2663968 by freddy1, translation #2689994 by freddy1
- Ich habe eine Ratte in meinem Garten gesehen.I saw a rat in my garden.
- Vorsicht vor den Ratten!Beware of the rats!
- Es gibt viele Ratten in diesem alten Gebäude.There are many rats in this old building.
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Julia are looking in the kitchen.
- JulianJulia, schau mal, eine Ratte!Julia, look, a rat!
- JuliaOh nein, die Ratte ist sehr schnell.Oh no, the rat is very fast.
- JulianSie ist unter den Tisch gelaufen.It ran under the table.
- JuliaJulian, wir müssen den Hausmeister rufen.Julian, we must call the caretaker.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rat” translations and entries Ratte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
