German word

Insekt

Pronunciation

IPA/ɪnˈzɛkt/

Meaning

  • neuter nouninsect

Example

Viele Insekten leben im Wald.

Many insects live in the forest.

Illustration for Insekt (insect)

More examples

In einigen Kulturen gelten Insekten als Nahrungsquelle.

In some cultures, insects are considered a food source.

Core concept

A tiny jointed animal with a rigid outer body, three main sections, and six legs.

Common phrases

  • Nahrungskette mit Insekten

    food chain involving insects

  • Insekten als Nahrungsquelle

    insects as a food source

  • Anzahl der Insekten

    number of insects

Similar words

Biene: A flying insect that collects nectar and pollen from flowers.
Fliege: A small insect with one pair of wings, often gathering around people or food.
Käfer: An insect with a hard wing covering, commonly living on the ground or on plants.
Spinne: An eight-legged arthropod that spins silk to make webs.

Definition in German

Ein Insekt ist ein kleiner Gliederfüßer mit hartem Außenskelett, drei Körpersegmenten und sechs Beinen.

Word origin

German Insekt comes from Latin insectum, a noun related to insecare, meaning "to cut into," referring to the body's visibly divided sections.

Usage tips

  • Insekt is neuter, so the forms are das Insekt and die Insekten; the plural adds -en rather than simply -s.

Related words

  • Insektenfresserinsectivorenoun
  • Insektenweltinsect worldnoun

Word lists with this word