der  Befall

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈfal/

🦠 What Exactly is a 'Befall'?

The German noun der Befall (masculine) refers to the state of being attacked or infested by pests, pathogens, or parasites. It usually describes a negative condition where something (a plant, animal, person, object, or place) is afflicted by something undesirable.

• Biological/Medical: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) or parasites (lice, mites, worms) in a host organism. Example: Der Befall mit Kopfläusen (The infestation with head lice).
• Agriculture/Forestry & Horticulture: The spread of pests (insects, fungi) on plants or in an area. Example: Der Borkenkäferbefall im Wald (The bark beetle infestation in the forest).
• General/Material: The attack on materials by pests. Example: Der Befall von Holz durch Termiten (The infestation of wood by termites).

⚠️ Important: The word almost always carries a negative connotation.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Befall

The noun „Befall“ is masculine. Its article is der. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Singular Declension

Plural

A plural form („die Befälle“) is very uncommon and rarely used. People usually talk about „mehreren Befällen“ (several infestations) or rephrase.

Example Sentences in German

1. Der Arzt diagnostizierte einen starken Befall mit Bakterien.
   (The doctor diagnosed a severe bacterial infection/infestation.)
2. Wegen des massiven Befalls mussten viele Bäume gefällt werden.
   (Because of the massive infestation, many trees had to be felled.)
3. Wir kämpfen gegen den Befall unseres Kellers durch Schimmel.
   (We are fighting against the mold infestation in our basement.)
4. Dem Befall durch Läuse muss vorgebeugt werden.
   (Infestation by lice must be prevented.)
5. Sie bemerkten den Befall des Holzes zu spät.
   (They noticed the infestation of the wood too late.)

🗣️ How to Use 'Befall'?

„Der Befall“ is primarily used in contexts related to pests, diseases, or unwanted organisms. Typical areas of application include:

• Medicine and Biology: Describing infections or parasite infestations in humans and animals.
• Agriculture and Forestry: Describing pest or fungal infestations in crops or trees.
• Horticulture: Describing pest infestations in garden plants.
• Pest Control: Describing insect or rodent infestations in buildings.
• Material Science: Describing mold or pest infestations on materials like wood or textiles.

It describes the state of being affected. One often speaks of „einem Befall mit etwas“ (e.g., Befall mit Läusen - infestation with lice) or „einem Befall durch etwas“ (e.g., Befall durch Borkenkäfer - infestation by bark beetles).

There is little risk of confusion as the word has a fairly specific meaning. It is more formal than, for example, „Plage“ (plague, nuisance).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Befall'

For the article 'der': Think of der Schädling (the male pest) or der Parasit (the male parasite) – these masculine nouns help remember der Befall.

For the meaning: Imagine something unpleasant falling upon you (part of the word 'Befall') and besetting you – so an infestation (Befall) is when something negative 'falls' onto something and affects it.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Words (Caution):

• Der Fall: Case, event, fall (physical).
• Der Verfall: Decay, decline.
• Der Anfall: Attack, seizure (medical), fit (of anger).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Holzwurm seinen Kumpel: „Na, wie war dein erster Tag im neuen Schrank?“ Sagt der andere Holzwurm: „Ganz gut, aber der Befall von Motten hier ist echt nervig!“

(The woodworm asks his buddy: "So, how was your first day in the new cupboard?" The other woodworm says: "Pretty good, but the moth infestation here is really annoying!")

📜 A Short Poem

Im Garten, leis' und unbemerkt,
schleicht sich heran, was keiner stärkt.
Ein kleiner Punkt, dann werden's mehr,
der Befall, er wiegt so schwer.
Die Rose welkt, das Blatt wird fahl,
die Läuse feiern ihr Mahl.
Ein Kampf beginnt, mit Sprüh und Schnitt,
gegen den unerwünschten Schritt.

(In the garden, quiet and unseen,
creeps closer what no one can screen.
A tiny dot, then turns to more,
the infestation, weighing sore.
The rose wilts, the leaf turns pale,
the aphids feast without fail.
A fight begins, with spray and snip,
against the undesirable trip.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich komme ungebeten, klein und gemein,
Niste mich in Pflanzen, Holz oder Bein.
Ob Laus, ob Käfer, ob Pilz so fad,
Ich bringe Schaden, früh und spat.
Man kämpft mich nieder, mit Gift und List,
weil meine Anwesenheit unerwünscht ist.

Was bin ich?

(I come uninvited, small and mean,
Nestling in plants, wood, or limb, it seems.
Be it louse, beetle, or fungus bland,
I bring damage across the land.
People fight me down, with poison and wit,
Because my presence is unfit.

What am I?)

Solution: der Befall (the infestation/attack)

🧩 Word Components & Trivia

Word Composition:

The word „Befall“ is composed of:

• The prefix be-: This prefix can indicate that something acts upon an object or provides it with something (compare beladen - to load, beschriften - to label).
• The verb stem of fallen: Meaning 'to fall', in the sense of 'falling upon something', 'coming over something'.

Together, this suggests the meaning that something (negative) comes over or 'falls' onto something, thus affecting it.

Trivia: The term is often used in damage reports or when describing ecological problems (e.g., forest dieback due to beetle infestation - Käferbefall).