Adler
/ˈaːdlər/masculine
The English word eagle is translated into German as Adler. Wiktionary also lists Aar.
Meaning: any of several large carnivorous birds in the family Accipitridae (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Adler | /ˈaːdlər/ | masculine |
| Aar | /aːɐ̯/ | masculine, poetic |
The term refers to any of the large carnivorous birds belonging to the family Accipitridae.
Which one should you use?
While Adler is the standard word for eagle, Aar is a poetic or archaic term used primarily in literature.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adler is a masculine noun. In the nominative plural, the form remains Adler without change. When the word is used as the direct object of a sentence (the accusative case), it changes to den Adler.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaːdlər/
Did you know?
- The root of Aar is thought to be pre-Indo-European, making it one of the oldest layers of the language.
- In German heraldry, the Reichsadler or Imperial Eagle has served as a powerful political symbol for centuries, representing the Holy Roman Empire and later the German Empire.
- The word Adler is used in the common German idiom Adlerblick, which describes someone with an extremely sharp eye for detail or a keen sense of observation.
Examples in context
- Der Adler ist weiß.The eagle is white.This sentence shows the use of Adler to describe the color of an eagle.Tatoeba #3682373 by Vortarulo, translation #3410116 by timmartin
- Ein Adler fliegt am Himmel.An eagle flies in the sky.This sentence shows Adler used in the context of an eagle flying.Tatoeba #587386 by Manfredo, translation #1262162 by Eldad
- Tom war ein Adlerpfadfinder.Tom was an Eagle Scout.This sentence shows how Adler is used in the compound word for Eagle Scout.Tatoeba #5390737 by Yakuwari, translation #5390540 by Hybrid
- Der Adler hat eine beeindruckende Spannweite.The eagle has an impressive wingspan.
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are watching a nature documentary together.
- LukasSiehst du den Adler dort oben?Do you see the eagle up there?
- SarahJa, der Adler ist sehr beeindruckend.Yes, the eagle is very impressive.
- LukasEr kreist über den Bergen.He is circling over the mountains.
- SarahDas ist ein toller Anblick.That is a great sight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eagle” translations and entries Adler, Aar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Aar, Adler, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
