German word

Rasse

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʁasə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounbreed

Example

Dieser Hund gehört zur Rasse Deutscher Schäferhund.

This dog belongs to the German Shepherd breed.

Illustration for Rasse (breed)

More examples

In Ausstellungen werden oft verschiedene Rassen verglichen.

At exhibitions, various breeds are often compared.

Core concept

A label for living things grouped by inherited or bred traits, most naturally applied to animals and plants and historically extended to humans.

Common phrases

  • verschiedene Rassen

    different breeds

  • nach Rasse sortieren

    sort by breed

  • für eine Rasse typisch

    typical of a breed

Similar words

Sorte: A cultivated plant variety or product type chosen for a particular use.
Art: A basic biological group used to distinguish one kind of living organism from another.
Herkunft: The place or background from which a person or thing comes.
Ethnie: A group of people sharing cultural, historical, or linguistic roots.

Definition in German

Rasse bezeichnet eine durch Zucht, Herkunft oder feste Merkmale abgegrenzte Gruppe von Tieren oder Pflanzen; die Bezeichnung für Menschen ist historisch belegt, aber politisch belastet.

Word origin

German Rasse was borrowed through French race from Italian razza, while the word's ultimate origin remains uncertain.

Usage tips

  • For people, Rasse carries heavy historical and political associations, so Herkunft or Ethnie is often more appropriate depending on the context.

Other meanings

  • racenoun

Opposites

  • Mischlingcrossbreednoun

Related words

  • reinrassigpurebredadjective
  • Rassenzuchtpedigree breedingnoun
  • Rassenmerkmalbreed characteristicnoun

Word lists with this word