German word

Maus

Pronunciation

IPA/maʊ̯s/

Meaning

  • feminine nounmouse

Example

Auf dem Dachboden sind viele Mäuse.

There are many mice in the attic.

Illustration for Maus (mouse)

More examples

Im Stall entdeckte der Bauer eine Maus zwischen den Heuballen.

In the barn, the farmer discovered a mouse between the hay bales.

Core concept

A tiny gnawing mammal darting between stored food and hiding places.

Common phrases

  • eine Maus aufspüren

    track down a mouse

  • eine Maus beobachten

    observe a mouse

  • so schüchtern wie eine Maus

    as shy as a mouse

Similar words

Hausmaus: A small rodent that lives in houses and often searches for scraps.
Ratte: A large rodent found near homes and sewers, especially after dark.
Mäuschen: A small, endearing mouse used as an affectionate term.
Computermaus: A device moved by hand to operate a computer.

Definition in German

Kleines, meist nachtaktives Säugetier aus der Ordnung der Nagetiere, das sich schnell vermehrt und oft Vorräte befällt.

Word origin

Maus is an inherited Germanic word, recorded as Old High German mūs and related to the ancient forms behind Latin mūs and Greek mûs.

Usage tips

  • Maus is feminine, so the definite article is die, as in die Maus and die Mäuse.

Related words

  • Mäuschenlittle mousenoun
  • Mausefallemousetrapnoun
  • Mäuseplagemouse infestationnoun

Word lists with this word