kanin
[kʰaˈniˀn]common gender
The English phrase 'rabbit' is translated into Danish as kanin.
kanin is a common-gender noun used to refer to the mammal known as a rabbit.
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Which one should you use?
While kanin refers specifically to the domesticated rabbit, the Danish word hare is used when referring to a wild hare.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the definite singular 'the rabbit', add the suffix '-en' to the end of the word to get kaninen. The plural form 'rabbits' is kaniner. If you wish to use the definite genitive form to say 'the rabbit's', use kaninens.
Did you know?
- The Latin ancestor of kanin, 'cunīculus', originally referred to a burrow or a small tunnel before it meant the animal itself.
- The word kanin entered the Danish language via Middle Low German, rather than coming directly from Old Norse.
- The Danish word kanin is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'coney' or 'coney-island' via the Latin 'cunīculus'.
Examples in context
- Vi har ikke en kanin.We don't have a rabbit.This sentence is useful for expressing that you do not possess a kanin.Tatoeba #11725740 by danepo, translation #11720450 by shekitten
- Jeg havde en kanin og en hund.I had a rabbit and a dog.This sentence is useful for describing a past possession of a kanin and a dog.Tatoeba #4203787 by danepo, translation #12713144 by jacoblaguerre
- Tom trak en kanin op af hatten.Tom pulled a rabbit out of his hat.This sentence is useful for describing the act of pulling a kanin out of a hat.Tatoeba #12010978 by danepo, translation #12003474 by shekitten
- Jeg så en kanin i haven.I saw a rabbit in the garden.
- Det er en sød kanin.It is a cute rabbit.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Sofie are looking at a pet store window.
- LucasSe den lille kanin!Look at that little rabbit!
- SofieDen er virkelig sød, Lucas.It is really cute, Lucas.
- LucasSkal vi købe en kanin?Should we buy a rabbit?
- SofieDet må vi spørge vores mor om.We must ask our mother about that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rabbit” translations and entries kanin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kanin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
