der Schmetterling
Translation
butterfly
Examples
Die Blumen werden von Schmetterlingen besucht.
The flowers are visited by butterflies.
Kinder laufen den bunten Schmetterlingen nach.
Children run after the colorful butterflies.
Grammar Patterns
Used as 'butterfly'. A butterfly flies by.
Similar Words
Falter (butterfly/moth), Insekt (insect)
Etymology
A folk etymology suggests it comes from 'Schmetten' (cream), from an old belief that butterflies stole cream.
Memory Tips
Imagine something 'smashing' the air with its wings, similar to the verb 'schmettern' (to smash, to dash).