Rat in German - Learn the Right Usage Fast

Today’s word scurries between literal and figurative meanings. The German noun Ratte means rat - the animal, yes, but also the sneaky type of person. It’s a word that pops up in biology class, city life, and even gangster films. And, believe it or not, it’s also one of the top 1000 nouns in German!

Ratte is a feminine noun, so the correct article is die - die Ratte. Want a quick and clear way to get German noun gender under control? Watch our 5-minute crash course to learn how to make sense of der / die / das with confidence.

Real conversations where Ratte might come up

This word is used both literally and metaphorically. A Ratte can be a real rodent - or a human behaving in a sneaky, backstabbing way.

- Da war eine Ratte in der Küche!- Igitt! Ruf den Kammerjäger.(“There was a rat in the kitchen!” - “Gross! Call the exterminator.”)

Or more figuratively:

- Er hat uns verraten.- So eine Ratte!(“He betrayed us.” - “What a rat!”)

Beginner sample dialogue

Tom: Ich habe eine Ratte im Garten gesehen!Mia: Echt? Lebendig?Tom: Ja, sie ist schnell weggerannt.

(Tom: I saw a rat in the garden!Mia: Really? Alive?Tom: Yeah, it ran off quickly.)

Grammar in action: How to use Ratte

• Nominative: Die Ratte läuft durch das Haus.(The rat is running through the house.)

• Accusative: Ich habe die Ratte gesehen.(I saw the rat.)

• Dative: Ich gebe der Ratte Käse.(I’m giving the rat some cheese.)

• Genitive: Der Schwanz der Ratte ist lang.(The rat’s tail is long.)

Need a better grasp of these case changes? Our no-nonsense grammar course explains them in plain English - no jargon, just real understanding.