Höhle
/ˈhøːlə/feminine
The English word "den" can be translated into German as either Höhle or Bau.
Meaning: home of certain animals (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Höhle | /ˈhøːlə/ | feminine |
| Bau | /baʊ̯/ | masculine |
Both words refer to the home of certain animals, but they describe different types of dwellings.
Which one should you use?
Höhle refers to a den that is a cave or a large hollow. It is also the word used metaphorically in the idiom "Höhle des Löwen" (the lion's den). In contrast, Bau is used for a den that is a burrow or a constructed tunnel system, which is typical for animals such as foxes or badgers.
How does it change in a sentence?
Höhle is a feminine noun. Its plural form is Höhlen. Bau is a masculine noun. Its plural form is Bauten.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhøːlə/
Did you know?
- While Bau means 'den' in an animal context, the same word is used in German to describe the 'construction' or 'structure' of a building or a musical instrument.
- The term Höhle is used in German to describe not only animal dens and caves but also the 'hollow' part of a tooth that a dentist treats.
- The word Bau is related to the English word 'build' through their shared Proto-Germanic ancestor meaning 'dwelling'.
Examples in context
- Du begibst dich in die Höhle des Löwen.You're entering the lion's den.This sentence shows how to use Höhle in the idiom for the lion's den.Tatoeba #5025387 by brauchinet, translation #6195537 by sundown
- Begib dich nicht in die Höhle des Löwen!Don't set foot in the lion's den!This sentence uses Höhle to warn someone about entering the lion's den.Tatoeba #1233362 by Esperantostern, translation #6195538 by LimeGreenTeknii
- Ich freue mich darüber, dass bei uns im Garten Füchse ihren Bau haben. Ich denke überhaupt nicht daran, die irgendwie loswerden zu wollen.I am happy that foxes have their den in our garden. I don't even think about trying to get rid of them.This sentence illustrates the use of Bau when referring to the den of foxes in a garden.Tatoeba #11742545 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #11743109 by szago
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Julian are visiting a nature park.
- JuliaSchau mal, dort ist eine Höhle!Look, there is a cave!
- JulianGlaubst du, dass ein Bär dort wohnt?Do you think a bear lives there?
- JuliaDie Höhle sieht sehr dunkel aus.The cave looks very dark.
- JulianWir sollten nicht zu nah herangehen.We should not go too close.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “den” translations and entries Höhle, Bau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
