World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesRattenrennen
Pronunciation / Transliteration: ˈʁatn̩ˌʁɛnən
"Sie wollte dem täglichen Rattenrennen entfliehen."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A fierce, relentless competition for success, power, or wealth, typically in a hectic modern work environment.
"She decided to leave the corporate rat race and move to a quiet village to paint." - 2
A exhausting, repetitive routine of modern life that offers little personal fulfillment.
"Many young professionals feel trapped in the daily rat race of commuting and endless overtime."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating in the mid-20th century American English, the term draws a direct analogy to laboratory rats running in mazes or spinning wheels for a reward. It reflects the intense, competitive, and often futile modern lifestyle of urban workers striving for wealth and success at the expense of personal well-being.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Rat race"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Rat race" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
la course aux rats
Transliteration: la koors oh rah
"Il a abandonné la course aux rats pour changer de vie."
Rattenrennen
Transliteration: ˈʁatn̩ˌʁɛnən
"Sie wollte dem täglichen Rattenrennen entfliehen."
la corsa dei topi
Transliteration: la ˈkorsa dei ˈtopi
"Ha deciso di uscire dalla frenetica corsa dei topi."
la carrera de ratas
Transliteration: la kaˈrera ðe ˈratas
"Muchos jóvenes intentan escapar de la carrera de ratas."
corrida dos ratos
Transliteration: koˈhi.dɐ duz ˈʁa.tus
"Ele largou a corrida dos ratos para viver no campo."
चुहा दौड़
Transliteration: chuhā daud
"वह इस अंतहीन चुहा दौड़ से दूर शांति चाहता था।"
激烈的竞争
Transliteration: jīliè de jìngzhēng
"越来越多的人想要逃离这种日常的激烈竞争。"
치열한 경쟁
Transliteration: chiyeolhan gyeongjaeng
"그는 도시의 치열한 경쟁에서 벗어나고 싶어 했다."
社畜の競争
Transliteration: shachiku no kyōsō
"彼は都会のラットレースから抜け出した。"
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