der  Floh

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/floː/

🦟 What is "der Floh"?

Der Floh (noun, masculine) refers to a small, wingless insect belonging to the order Siphonaptera. Fleas are known for being parasites that feed on the blood of mammals and birds.

• Meaning 1: A small, jumping, blood-sucking insect.

This is the primary meaning for the noun der Floh.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Floh

The word "Floh" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Der Floh sprang vom Hund auf das Sofa. (The flea jumped from the dog onto the sofa.)
2. Der Biss des Flohs juckt fürchterlich. (The bite of the flea itches terribly.)
3. Ich habe dem Floh den Garaus gemacht. (I finished off the flea.)
4. Hast du den Floh gesehen? (Did you see the flea?)
5. Die Katze hat leider Flöhe. (Unfortunately, the cat has fleas.)

💡 How to use "Floh"

"Der Floh" is mainly used in a biological context to describe the insect. However, it also appears in idioms:

• Biological Context: Talking about pets, parasites, insect bites, or hygiene. (Example: Nach dem Spaziergang im Wald müssen wir den Hund auf Flöhe untersuchen. - After the walk in the woods, we need to check the dog for fleas.)
• Idioms:
  • Jemandem einen Floh ins Ohr setzen: Literally: to put a flea in someone's ear. Meaning: to put a bug in someone's ear, to give someone an idea they can't get out of their head, or plant suspicion. (Example: Mein Bruder hat mir einen Floh ins Ohr gesetzt, dass ich mir ein neues Fahrrad kaufen sollte. - My brother put a bug in my ear about buying a new bike.)
  • Einen Sack Flöhe hüten: Literally: to herd a sack of fleas. Meaning: to have a very difficult, almost impossible task, especially supervising a group of restless people (often children). (Example: Mit zehn Kleinkindern im Park – das ist wie einen Sack Flöhe hüten! - With ten toddlers in the park - that's like herding cats / a sack of fleas!)
• Flohmarkt (Flea Market): Although the etymology of "Flohmarkt" is debated (perhaps because old clothes potentially infested with fleas were sold there, or due to the bustling activity), it's a very common term for a market selling second-hand goods.

🧠 Memory Aids for "Floh"

1. Remembering the Article (der): Imagine a male (der Mann) circus director training a tiny Floh. Or associate fleas with typically male pets like der Hund (the dog) or der Kater (the tomcat).
2. Remembering the Meaning: "Floh" sounds a bit like the English word "flee". Fleas jump away quickly, making you want to flee from their bites! Or maybe the "Oh!" sound in Floh reminds you of the exclamation when you feel a bite.

Think of der strong man wanting to flee from the tiny, itchy Floh!

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words

Watch out for these:

• Fliege (die): (fly) - A different insect, winged and not typically a bloodsucker (exception: some horse-flies).
• Laus (die): (louse) - Also a parasite, but a different order of insects, moves by crawling.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum sind Flöhe so gute Mathematiker?

Weil sie ständig multiplizieren!

--- Translation ---

Why are fleas such good mathematicians?

Because they are constantly multiplying! (pun on 'multiplying' numbers and reproducing)

📜 Poem about the Flea

Ein kleiner Punkt, so schwarz und klein,
springt auf das Bein, oh nein, oh nein!
Der Floh, er ist ein schneller Gast,
der saugt und juckt und hält dich fast
die ganze Nacht mit seinem Stich
hellwach und äußerst ärgerlich.

--- Translation ---

A little dot, so black and small,
Jumps on the leg, oh no, not at all!
The flea, it is a speedy guest,
That sucks and itches, puts to the test,
Keeps you awake almost all night,
With its bite, quite an awful plight.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin winzig, doch ich springe weit,
lebe im Pelz, zur Sommerzeit.
Mein Biss, der juckt, das ist kein Spaß,
ich trinke Blut, rate mal, wer ist das?

--- Translation ---

I am tiny, yet I jump far and wide,
In fur I live, in summertime I hide.
My bite itches, it's no fun, you see,
I drink blood, guess who I might be?

Solution: Der Floh (The flea)

✨ More about the Floh

• Flohzirkus (Flea Circus): In the past, there were actually small circus shows where fleas were trained to pull tiny carts or push balls.
• Krankheitsüberträger (Disease Vector): Fleas can transmit diseases, historically most famously the plague (via the rat flea - der Rattenfloh).
• Sprungkraft (Jumping Ability): Relative to their body size, fleas can jump extremely high and far – up to 200 times their body length.
• Flohmarkt (Flea Market): As mentioned, a market for used goods. The name is common in many languages.