Ameise

/ˈaːmaɪ̯zə/
nounBeginner
formal

An ant; a small, social insect known for its organized colonies and ability to carry objects many times its own weight.

Die Ameisen tragen Blätter in ihren Bau.

The ants carry leaves into their nest.

Ameisen sind sehr arbeitsam.

Ants are very industrious.

💡

The term is commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts to describe hardworking or organized groups.

Collocations

AmeisenhaufenanthillAmeisenstraßeant trailAmeisenbissant bite

Synonyms

Related Phrases

sich wie eine Ameise verhaltenidiom
to behave like an ant (i.e., work hard and diligently)

💡Pro Tip

Gender and Plural

The word 'Ameise' is feminine ('die Ameise') and its plural form is 'Ameisen.'

Gold Rule

Capitalization

Always capitalize German nouns, including 'Ameise,' as it is a grammatical rule in German.

📖Word Origin

From Middle High German 'āmeize,' derived from Old High German 'āmeiza,' related to Proto-Germanic 'amōn,' meaning 'ant.'

📝Usage Notes

In German, 'Ameise' is always capitalized as it is a noun. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is very diligent or organized.

Word Breakdown

Ameis
ant
root
+
-e
feminine noun ending
suffix
Deutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch