Names, articles and plurals
Read the first two columns aloud together. The plural article is die, even when the singular has der or das. The example or meaning column helps you keep the intended sense.
| German | Plural | English meaning |
|---|---|---|
| die Amsel | die Amseln | blackbird |
| die Meise | die Meisen | tit / chickadee family |
| der Spatz | die Spatzen | sparrow |
| die Taube | die Tauben | pigeon / dove |
| der Rabe | die Raben | raven |
| die Eule | die Eulen | owl |
| die Möwe | die Möwen | gull |
| der Schwan | die Schwäne | swan |
| der Storch | die Störche | stork |
| der Adler | die Adler | eagle |
| der Papagei | die Papageien | parrot |
| die Elster | die Elstern | magpie |
Replay a line, transcript and audio files
die Amsel. die Amseln.
Open audio file 1die Meise. die Meisen.
Open audio file 2der Spatz. die Spatzen.
Open audio file 3die Taube. die Tauben.
Open audio file 4der Rabe. die Raben.
Open audio file 5die Eule. die Eulen.
Open audio file 6die Möwe. die Möwen.
Open audio file 7der Schwan. die Schwäne.
Open audio file 8der Storch. die Störche.
Open audio file 9der Adler. die Adler.
Open audio file 10der Papagei. die Papageien.
Open audio file 11die Elster. die Elstern.
Open audio file 12
A bird you see is an object; a bird that flies is a subject
Compare Der Spatz sitzt dort with Ich sehe einen Spatz. In the first sentence, the bird is the subject. In the second, it is the accusative object of sehen. The indefinite masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Rabe also changes its noun ending in this object phrase: Ich sehe einen Raben. Learn that complete phrase rather than assuming that every masculine bird name gets -n. The plural in Zwei Schwäne schwimmen auf dem See requires the plural verb schwimmen.
An original short exchange
Read both roles. Then cover one speaker and supply a suitable reply. The wording below is a model, not the only possible exchange.
- Lea
- Was sitzt da auf dem Zaun?
- Amir
- Ich glaube, das ist eine Amsel.
- Lea
- Und auf dem See?
- Amir
- Da sehe ich zwei Schwäne.
- Lea
- Die nehme ich als Beispiel für meine Wortliste.
Describe an observation without guessing a species
Use Ich glaube, das ist … when you are unsure of an identification. You can also describe colour, number and location: Dort sitzen drei kleine Vögel. That sentence remains useful even when you do not know the species.
Choose three nouns from the table. Write one subject sentence and one sentence with Ich sehe for each. Check the noun phrase, not only the dictionary article. Keep wildlife facts and feeding advice outside this language task.
Put it into practice
Try each task before opening the answer. Open questions show one possible model answer.
Plural with article: der Schwan.
Answer and explanation
die Schwäne
The plural has an umlaut and -e.
Complete: Ich sehe einen __ (Rabe).
Answer and explanation
Raben
Rabe takes -n in this accusative singular phrase.
Complete: Zwei Störche __ auf dem Dach. (stehen)
Answer and explanation
stehen
The plural subject takes stehen.
Give the German for owl, with its article.
Answer and explanation
die Eule
The noun is feminine.
Describe three sparrows on a bench.
Answer and explanation
Drei Spatzen sitzen auf einer Bank.
This model combines number, plural noun, verb and location.
Make an uncertain identification of a blackbird.
Answer and explanation
Ich glaube, das ist eine Amsel.
Ich glaube marks the uncertainty; it does not change the noun article.
Questions learners ask
Does Taube mean pigeon or dove?
The German word can cover either in ordinary English translation. Add context or a specific species name when the distinction matters.
Is Adler unchanged in the plural?
Yes: der Adler, die Adler. The changed article and the sentence context show the number.