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.

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.

Other ways to talk about rats and similar ideas in German

• Nagetier – rodent

• Hausratte – domestic rat (sometimes kept as a pet)

• Wanderratte – brown rat

• Laborratte – lab rat

• Spitzel / Verräter – snitch or traitor (used more for people)

Figurative expressions:

• Du Ratte! – you snake! / you rat!

• jemanden als Ratte bezeichnen – to call someone a rat

• wie die Ratten das sinkende Schiff verlassen – “rats leaving a sinking ship” (same metaphor in both languages)

Word variations and tidbits

The word Ratte appears in many cultural contexts — from street slang to children's books to idioms:

• Rattenfänger von Hameln – The Pied Piper of Hamelin (literally: "rat-catcher")

• Rattenplage – rat infestation

• Rattenloch – dumpy, disgusting place (slang)

Note: Ratte is often used with emotional force. It’s rarely neutral when referring to people.

And yes — in biology, the word is sometimes more neutral (Laborratte, weiße Ratte), but in conversation, it often carries a sting.

Duden entry:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Ratte

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