Domestic animals are species that have been tamed and bred by humans for companionship, labor, or production. In German, these animals are called "Haustiere" for pets and "Nutztiere" for farm animals, reflecting their roles in the household and agriculture.
- Haustiere = Domestic pets
- Nutztiere = Farm animals, working animals
Pets (Haustiere)
Common Haustiere include Hund (dog) and Katze (cat), not Kuh (cow) or Schaf (sheep).
| German | English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Hund | Dog | Der Hund ist unser treuer Begleiter. |
| Katze | Cat | Die Katze schläft den ganzen Tag. |
| Kaninchen | Rabbit | Das Kaninchen liebt frisches Gemüse. |
| Meerschweinchen | Guinea Pig | Meerschweinchen sind sehr gesellig. |
| Hamster | Hamster | Der Hamster läuft nachts im Rad. |
- Haustiere are common members of the family and often enjoy similar rights as human members in many households.
- Small pets like Meerschweinchen and Hamster are popular, especially for children.
'Vogel' means bird and can refer to domestic birds like canaries or parrots.
The correct term for 'guinea pig' in German is 'Meerschweinchen'.
Farm Animals (Nutztiere)
Typical Nutztiere include Kuh (cow), Schwein (pig), and Schaf (sheep).
| German | English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Kuh | Cow | Die Kuh gibt täglich frische Milch. |
| Schwein | Pig | Schweine sind sehr intelligente Tiere. |
| Schaf | Sheep | Das Schaf liefert Wolle. |
| Pferd | Horse | Das Pferd zieht den Wagen. |
| Huhn | Chicken | Das Huhn legt morgens Eier. |
| Ziege | Goat | Die Ziege ist ein gutes Weidetier. |
- Nutztiere provide essential resources: milk, meat, wool, eggs, and labor.
- Pferde were historically vital for transport and farming; some are still fondly regarded as Nutztiere.
'Huhn' refers to the chicken, while their eggs are called 'Eier'.
The German word for 'cow' is 'Kuh'.
Conclusion
German domestic animal vocabulary covers both beloved companions and essential farm workers, reflecting their roles in everyday life.
- Pets (Haustiere) include Hunde, Katzen, and Kaninchen.
- Farm animals (Nutztiere) are Kühe, Schweine, Schafe, and more.
- Knowing these terms helps you understand and appreciate animal life in German-speaking cultures.