Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Junges | [ˈjʊŋəs] (narrow) | neuter |
| Welpe | /ˈvɛlpə/ | masculine |
| Dachsjunges (badger) | neuter | |
| Bärenjunges | neuter | |
| Gepardenjunges | neuter | |
| Leopardenjunges (leopard) | neuter | |
| Löwenbaby | neuter | |
| Löwenjunges | neuter | |
| Pandajunges (panda) | neuter | |
| Tigerbaby | neuter | |
| Tigerjunges | neuter | |
| Wolfsjunges | neuter | |
| Braunbärenjunges | neuter | |
| Eisbärenjunges | neuter | |
| Eisbärjunges | neuter |
German uses specific terms to describe the young of certain animals. While Junges is a general term for the young of an animal, it is often combined with the name of the animal to specify the species, such as Bärenjunges for a bear cub or Löwenjunges for a lion cub. In a more general or formal context, the term Jungtier is used to refer to any young animal.
Which one should you use?
The term Welpe is a masculine noun. For many larger animals, the term Junges is used, which is a neuter noun. For specific animals, you can use compound words like Dachsjunges (badger), Gepardenjunges, Leopardenjunges (leopard), Pandajunges (panda), Tigerjunges, Wolfsjunges, Braunbärenjunges and Eisbärenjunges or Eisbärjunges.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used to mean 'the young of an animal' in a general sense, Junges is a neuter singular noun that does not change its form in the plural.
Did you know?
- The word Welpe is a direct linguistic relative of the English word 'whelp', which is also used to describe young dogs or foxes.
- While Junges is the standard term for a cub, the word Baby is frequently used in German for the young of charismatic animals like lions Löwenbaby or tigers Tigerbaby.
- Despite being used for animals, Junges comes from the same root as the word jung, which is used for humans.
Examples in context
- Der Tiger hat drei süße Jungtiere.The tiger has three adorable cubs.
- Das Bärenbaby spielt im Wald.The bear cub is playing in the forest.
- Die Bärenjungen sind hungrig.The bear cubs are hungry.
Example conversation
Maximilian and Laura are looking at animals at the zoo.
- MaximilianSchau mal, dort ist ein Löwenjunges!Look, there is a lion cub!
- LauraOh, das Junges ist wirklich klein.Oh, the cub is really small.
- MaximilianEs spielt mit seiner Mutter.It is playing with its mother.
- LauraDas ist so niedlich, Maximilian.That is so cute, Maximilian.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cub” translations and entries Junges, Welpe, Bärenjunges, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Bärenjunges, Junges, Welpe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
