German word of the day: Die Menschentraube
While crowds are much less common in coronavirus times, this amusing way to describe a gathering of people is still worth learning.
This German compound noun can be broken down into two parts: die Menschen (people), and die Traube (a bunch of grapes).
Despite the word’s literal translation, its meaning has nothing to do with fruit, instead describing a crowd or gathering of people.
And when you think about it, it’s not all that unusual. Grapes cluster on a vine to form a bunch, just as individual people group together to form a crowd. The word therefore offers quite an accurate visual representation.
Photo: DPA
Whilst the coronavirus pandemic has seen busy airports, packed festival crowds and sold-out stadiums become a thing of the past, hopefully it won't be too long before 'die Menschentraube' can return to our everyday vocabulary.
Examples:
Er zwängte seinen Weg durch die Menschentraube.
He squeezed his way through the crowd.
Trotz des Regens bildete sich eine kleine Menschentraube bildete sich vor der Bühne.
Despite the rain, a small crowd gathered in front of the stage.
Die aufgeregte Menschentraube strömte aus dem Stadion.
The excited crowd poured out of the stadium.
Comments
See Also
This German compound noun can be broken down into two parts: die Menschen (people), and die Traube (a bunch of grapes).
Despite the word’s literal translation, its meaning has nothing to do with fruit, instead describing a crowd or gathering of people.
And when you think about it, it’s not all that unusual. Grapes cluster on a vine to form a bunch, just as individual people group together to form a crowd. The word therefore offers quite an accurate visual representation.
Photo: DPA
Whilst the coronavirus pandemic has seen busy airports, packed festival crowds and sold-out stadiums become a thing of the past, hopefully it won't be too long before 'die Menschentraube' can return to our everyday vocabulary.
Examples:
Er zwängte seinen Weg durch die Menschentraube.
He squeezed his way through the crowd.
Trotz des Regens bildete sich eine kleine Menschentraube bildete sich vor der Bühne.
Despite the rain, a small crowd gathered in front of the stage.
Die aufgeregte Menschentraube strömte aus dem Stadion.
The excited crowd poured out of the stadium.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.