Bär
/bɛːr/masculine
The English word "bear" is translated into German as Bär. If unsure, use Bär. Wiktionary also lists Bärin.
Meaning: large mammal of family Ursidae (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bär | /bɛːr/ | masculine |
| Bärin | /ˈbɛːʁɪn/ /ˈbeːʁɪn/ |
feminine |
Bär is a masculine noun used to refer to the large mammal of the family Ursidae.
Which one should you use?
Bär is the general term for a bear, whereas Bärin is used specifically to refer to a female bear.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Bär is Bären.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɛːr/
Did you know?
- The German word Bär is a linguistic 'taboo' word. Ancient speakers avoided the animal's true name to avoid attracting it, instead using a term derived from the word for 'brown'.
- In Berlin, the Bär is the official heraldic animal and appears on the city's coat of arms and flag. It has served as the symbol of the city for centuries.
- The German phrase bärenstark means 'strong as a bear'. It is used to describe someone who is not just strong but possesses an overwhelming or sturdy power.
Examples in context
- Das ist ein Bär.It's a bear.This sentence shows how to identify a bear using Bär.Tatoeba #12126078 by Lundian, translation #12145084 by CK
- Der Bär ist groß.The bear is big.This sentence describes the size of the bear using Bär.Tatoeba #3800787 by Esperantostern, translation #3487903 by Ricardo14
- Sahst du den Bär?Did you see the bear?This sentence is used to ask if someone saw the bear using Bär.Tatoeba #12662022 by Augustus, translation #8962489 by CK
- Das majestätische Tier, der Bär, ist ein Symbol der Wildnis und Stärke.The majestic animal, the bear, is a symbol of wilderness and strength.
- Mein Kind schläft immer mit seinem Teddybär.My child always sleeps with their teddy bear.
- 116 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a zoo in Germany.
- LauraSchau mal, dort ist ein Bär!Look, there is a bear!
- LukasJa, der Bär sieht sehr stark aus.Yes, the bear looks very strong.
- LauraIst er nicht beeindruckend?Isn't he impressive?
- LukasAbsolut, er ist ein riesiger Bär.Absolutely, he is a huge bear.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bear” translations and entries Bär, Bärin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Bär, Bärin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
