Zibetkatze
feminine
The English word 'civet' is translated into German as Zibetkatze.
The term Zibetkatze is widely understood throughout the German-speaking world and refers to a cat-like animal.
Meaning: cat-like animal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of Zibet (civet/ambergris) and Katze (cat).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form is Zibetkatzen. For the genitive singular, such as saying 'of the civet', use der Zibetkatze.
Did you know?
- The first part of the word, Zibet, shares a distant linguistic ancestor with the Arabic word zabād, which was used to describe the fragrant secretions of the animal.
- In old German pharmacy books, Zibet was listed as a medicinal ingredient for treating headaches and hysteria.
- In German literature and historical texts, the Zibetkatze was often confused with the genet, leading to the two animals being grouped under one name for centuries.
Examples in context
- Entschuldigen Sie, wie nennt man eine Zibetkatze auf Deutsch?Excuse me, what is a civet called in German?
- Eine Zibetkatze ist eine kleine Raubtierart, die für ihren Geruch bekannt ist.A civet is a small carnivorous species that is known for its scent.
- Hey, wie sagt man "civet" auf Deutsch?Hey, how do you say "civet" in German?
- Die Zibetkatze ist ein exotisches Tier.The civet is an exotic animal.
- Ich habe eine Zibetkatze im Zoo gesehen.I saw a civet at the zoo.
- Die Zibetkatze lebt oft in warmen Regionen.The civet often lives in warm regions.
Example conversation
Julian and Sarah are watching a nature documentary at home.
- JulianWas ist das für ein Tier?What kind of animal is that?
- SarahDas ist eine Zibetkatze.That is a civet.
- JulianSie sieht sehr interessant aus.It looks very interesting.
- SarahJa, sie ist wirklich faszinierend.Yes, it is truly fascinating.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “civet” translations and entries Zibetkatze, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Zibetkatze, CC BY-SA 4.0.
