Bärtierchen
The German word for tardigrade is Bärtierchen.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Austria and parts of southern Germany, Moosbär is used as an alternative to Wasserbär.
Did you know?
- While the suffix '-chen' makes the word sound 'cute' or 'diminutive' to English ears, it is the standard scientific name used by German biologists.
- Because Bärtierchen is a diminutive, it implies a sense of fragility or smallness that contrasts with the tardigrade's known reputation as the world's toughest animal.
- The suffix -chen in Bärtierchen automatically makes the noun neuter in gender, regardless of the gender of the root word Bär.
Examples in context
- Ich schwöre, ich hab gesehen, wie ein Bärtierchen mit zugewinkt hat!I swear I saw a tardigrade waving to me!Tatoeba #13506252 by Vortarulo, translation #3527019 by VilhelmsPort
- Die Wasserbären sind bemerkenswerte Tiere, die extreme Umweltbedingungen überleben können.Tardigrades are remarkable animals capable of surviving extreme environmental conditions.
- Hast du schon von den Bärtierchen gehört? Sie sind extrem widerstandsfähige Winzlinge!Have you heard about tardigrades? They are incredibly resilient tiny creatures!
- Ein Bärtierchen ist unter dem Mikroskop sichtbar.A tardigrade is visible under the microscope.
- Bärtierchen können in extremen Umgebungen überleben.Tardigrades can survive in extreme environments.
Example conversation
Two students are looking at a biology textbook together.
- JuliaWas ist das für ein Tier hier?What kind of animal is this here?
- JulianDas ist ein Bärtierchen.That is a tardigrade.
- JuliaIst das Bärtierchen wirklich so klein?Is that tardigrade really that small?
- JulianJa, man braucht ein Mikroskop.Yes, you need a microscope.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
