Hirsch
/hɪrʃ/masculine
The English word 'deer' is translated into German as Hirsch.
Hirsch refers to an animal of the family Cervidae. It is important to note that German distinguishes between different types of deer. For example, a Roe deer is called a Reh.
Meaning: animal of the family Cervidae (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Hirsch is Hirsche. In the dative plural case, the word takes the ending -en and becomes Hirschen.
How do you pronounce it?
/hɪrʃ/
Did you know?
- In German slang, calling someone a Hirsch implies they are naive, clumsy or a bit of a fool. It is similar to calling someone a 'doofus' in English.
- In Bavaria, the Hirsch is so culturally ingrained that you will find many traditional inns and guesthouses named Zum Goldenen Hirsch or 'At the Golden Stag'.
- The English word 'hart', used to describe an old male deer, is a direct linguistic relative of the German Hirsch.
Examples in context
- Hirsche haben ein Geweih.Male deer have antlers.This sentence shows that male deer have antlers using the form Hirsch.Tatoeba #7954747 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7954147 by Hybrid
- Der Jäger häutete den Hirsch.The hunter was skinning the deer.This sentence describes a hunter skinning a deer using the form Hirsch.Tatoeba #7871967 by Tamy, translation #3022402 by sharptoothed
- Der Jäger schoss einen Hirsch.The hunter shot at a deer.This sentence describes a hunter shooting at a deer using the form Hirsch.Tatoeba #3388229 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #34955 by CK
- Das Reh ist ein elegantes Wildtier.The deer is an elegant wild animal.
- Der Hirsch hat beeindruckende Geweihe.The deer has impressive antlers.
- Das süße Rehlein hat sich im Wald versteckt.The adorable little deer hid in the forest.
- Ich habe drei Rehe im Wald gesehen.I saw three deer in the forest.
- Die Hirsche haben im Feld gefressen.The deer were feeding in the field.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Julia are hiking in the forest.
- FelixSchau mal, da vorne steht ein Hirsch!Look, there is a deer standing up there!
- JuliaOh, der Hirsch ist wirklich wunderschön.Oh, the deer is truly beautiful.
- FelixEr sieht uns aber kaum.But he hardly notices us.
- JuliaJa, wir müssen ganz leise sein.Yes, we have to be very quiet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “deer” translations and entries Hirsch, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Hirsch, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
