This German compound noun can be broken down into two parts: die Menschen (people), and die Traube (a bunch of grapes).Â
Despite the word’s literal translation, its meaning has nothing to do with fruit, instead describing a crowd or gathering of people.
And when you think about it, it’s not all that unusual. Grapes cluster on a vine to form a bunch, just as individual people group together to form a crowd. The word therefore offers quite an accurate visual representation.
Photo: DPA
Whilst the coronavirus pandemic has seen busy airports, packed festival crowds and sold-out stadiums become a thing of the past, hopefully it won't be too long before 'die Menschentraube' can return to our everyday vocabulary.
Examples:
Er zwängte seinen Weg durch die Menschentraube.
He squeezed his way through the crowd.
Trotz des Regens bildete sich eine kleine Menschentraube bildete sich vor der BĂĽhne.
Despite the rain, a small crowd gathered in front of the stage.
Die aufgeregte Menschentraube strömte aus dem Stadion.
The excited crowd poured out of the stadium.
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