How to Say "Cage" in German - How To Say Guide

Käfig

/ˈkɛːfɪç/masculine

The English word "cage" is translated into German as Käfig.

Käfig is a masculine noun referring to an enclosure.

Meaning: enclosure (noun)

How does it change in a sentence?

When Käfig is the direct object of a sentence, it takes the accusative masculine ending einen, as seen in the phrase einen Käfig.

/ˈkɛːfɪç/

The German word Käfig shares a common Latin ancestor with the English word 'cave'. Both derive from the root meaning a hollow or enclosed space.
If you are looking for a 'cage' for a large farm animal like a pig, you should avoid using Käfig and instead use Gehege, as Käfig sounds too much like a small prison for a pet.
While English uses 'cage' for both the object and the act of caging, German uses the verb einsperren to describe the action of putting something in a Käfig.

Mach den Käfig zu.
Close the cage.
Tatoeba #8244936 by MisterTrouser, translation #7966241 by adiante19
Der Käfig ist offen.
The cage is open.
Tatoeba #10257944 by wolfgangth, translation #3413048 by CK
Ich habe einen Käfig.
I've got a cage.
Tatoeba #13449958 by noog, translation #13449907 by rul
In diesem Zoo gibt es viele schöne Käfige für die Tiere.
In this zoo, there are many beautiful cages for the animals.
Die Affen im Käfiggehege haben viel Platz zum Spielen.
The monkeys in the cage enclosure have plenty of space to play.
Ich habe einen Käfig für meinen neuen Hamster gekauft.
I bought a cage for my new hamster.
45 more sentences on Tatoeba

Julian and Laura are looking at a bird in a pet shop.

Sources

Wiktionary, “cage” translations and entries Käfig, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries Käfig, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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