der Schmetterling
Translation
butterfly
Examples
Ein bunter Schmetterling sitzt auf der Blume.
A colorful butterfly is sitting on the flower.
Grammar Patterns
((the Schmetterling)) butterfly as a subject A butterfly flies in the garden.
Similar Words
Falter (moth, butterfly)
Etymology
From dialectal 'Schmetten' (cream), as butterflies were once believed to steal cream. '-ling' is a common suffix.
Memory Tips
Imagine a butterfly's wings 'shattering' light into many colors. The '-ling' part denotes something small.