großer Bär
The English phrase "big bear" is translated into German as großer Bär.
The phrase is used to describe a bear that is large in size.
Which one should you use?
The form großer Bär is used for a single bear in the nominative case. If you are referring to more than one, use the plural form große Bären.
How does it change in a sentence?
German grammar requires the phrase to change depending on its role in a sentence. Use großer Bär when the bear is the subject of the sentence. If the bear is the direct object of a sentence, use großen Bären. For the plural, use große Bären.
Did you know?
- The word Bär is an ancient 'linguistic mask' used to avoid the true name of the animal. It likely evolved from a word for 'brown' to prevent the creature from being summoned by its real name through superstition.
- In German culture, the phrase Bärenhunger describes a hunger as large as a bear's, meaning someone is starving.
- The bear is the heraldic animal of Berlin, and its image appears on the city's flag and coat of arms.
Examples in context
- Schau, da ist ein großer Bär!Look, there is a big bear!
- Der Riesenbär wirkt sehr einschüchternd.The giant bear is very intimidating.
- Gestern habe ich einen großen Bären im Zoo gesehen.I saw a big bear at the zoo yesterday.
- Der große Bär schläft.The big bear is sleeping.
- Dort drüben steht ein großer Bär.There stands a big bear over there.
- Ein großer Bär ist im Zoo.A big bear is in the zoo.
Example conversation
Sarah and Maximilian are looking at a picture book about animals.
- SarahSchau mal, Maximilian, ein großer Bär!Look, Maximilian, a big bear!
- MaximilianJa, er sieht sehr stark aus.Yes, he looks very strong.
- SarahIst der große Bär auch gefährlich?Is the big bear also dangerous?
- MaximilianIn diesem Buch ist er nur süß.In this book, he is only cute.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Bär, CC BY-SA 4.0.
