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Ameisenstraße
/ˈaɪ̯mzaɪ̯nˌʃtʁaːsə/
ant trail
Die Ameisenstraße führt direkt zur Zuckerdose.
The ant trail leads straight to the sugar bowl.
neutral
A line of ants moving in a single file, typically between a food source and their nest.
Die Ameisenstraße verschwand nach dem Regen wieder.
The ant trail disappeared again after the rain.
Kinder beobachten oft die Ameisenstraße im Garten.
Children often watch the ant trail in the garden.
Can also metaphorically describe a long, orderly queue of people or objects.
Collocations
eine Ameisenstraße bildento form an ant trailder Ameisenstraße folgento follow the ant trail
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Memory Aid
Think of 'Ameisenstraße' as a 'street for ants'—a clear path they follow to transport food.
Gold Rule
Compound Nouns in German
German often forms compound nouns by joining two or more words. Split 'Ameisenstraße' into 'Ameise' (ant) + 'Straße' (street) to understand its meaning.
Word Origin
Compound noun formed from 'Ameise' (ant) and 'Straße' (street/path). 'Ameise' derives from Old High German 'amiz' (ant), related to Old English 'ǣmette' and Latin 'formīca'. 'Straße' comes from Latin 'strata' (paved road).
Usage Notes
Common in both literal (observing nature) and figurative contexts (e.g., describing orderly movement of people).
Word Breakdown
Ameise
ant
rootStraße
street/path
rootDeutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch