Höhle
/ˈhøːlə/feminine
The German word for cave is Höhle.
Höhle is a feminine noun used to describe a large, naturally occurring cavity formed underground.
Meaning: large, naturally occurring cavity formed underground (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Höhle refers to a large natural cavity, the word Grotte is often used for smaller, more aesthetically pleasing or decorative grottoes.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Höhle is Höhlen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhøːlə/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may confuse the pronunciation of Höhle with Hölle (hell). Ensure the long vowel is a rounded 'ö' rather than a short 'ö' or 'e'.
Did you know?
- In a technical or scientific context, Germans might use the word Spelunke to refer to a cave, though this word is also a slang term for a 'dive bar' or 'shabby pub'.
- Germany is home to the Hohle Fels, where some of the oldest known figurative artworks in the world were found, including a carving of a human head.
- The word Höhle is used to describe not only geological caves but also the dens of animals, such as a fox's den or a rabbit's burrow.
Examples in context
- Ich betrat die Höhle.I entered the cave.This sentence is useful for seeing how to express entering a cave using Höhle.Tatoeba #1791531 by al_ex_an_der, translation #7822767 by eggershead
- Tom lief in die Höhle.Tom ran to the cave.This sentence is useful for showing movement towards a cave using Höhle.Tatoeba #12995780 by Waldelfe, translation #12993326 by CK
- Er schwamm in die Höhle.He swam into the cave.This sentence is useful for describing swimming into a cave using Höhle.Tatoeba #13851497 by Waldelfe, translation #12946920 by Conjuice
- Die Schwarzwaldhöhle ist eine der berühmtesten Höhlen Deutschlands.The Black Forest Cave is one of the most famous caves in Germany.
- Die Grotte am Strand von Rügen ist atemberaubend schön.The cave on the beach of Rügen is breathtakingly beautiful.
- 79 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Sarah are hiking in the mountains.
- JulianSchau mal, dort ist eine Höhle!Look, there is a cave over there!
- SarahSollen wir in die Höhle gehen?Should we go into the cave?
- JulianJa, aber wir brauchen eine Taschenlampe.Yes, but we need a flashlight.
- SarahIch habe eine in meinem Rucksack.I have one in my backpack.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cave” translations and entries Höhle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
