Hai
/haɪ̯/masculine
The English word shark is Hai in German. Wiktionary also lists Haifisch.
Meaning: fish (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hai | /haɪ̯/ | masculine |
| Haifisch | masculine |
The term refers to the predatory fish. Both Hai and Haifisch are masculine nouns used to describe this animal.
Which one should you use?
While both Hai and Haifisch mean shark, Hai is the more common, standard term used in most contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of Hai is Haie, while the plural of Haifisch is Haifische.
How do you pronounce it?
/haɪ̯/
Did you know?
- In German business contexts, a Haifisch is not just a fish but a metaphor for a ruthless, aggressive corporate predator.
- The German term Hai is actually a linguistic traveler, having moved from Old Norse into Dutch before finally being adopted into German.
- While Haifisch is common, it is technically a tautology because Hai already means 'shark', making the word literally 'shark-fish'.
Examples in context
- Es ist ein Hai.It's a shark.The sentence is useful for identifying a shark.Tatoeba #13052719 by mhr, translation #13535502 by araneo
- Tom sah einen Hai.Tom saw a shark.The sentence is useful for describing seeing a shark.Tatoeba #8588811 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8588809 by CK
- Achtung! Da ist ein Hai!Look out, there's a shark!The sentence is useful for warning someone about a shark.Tatoeba #6032927 by wolfgangth, translation #6029466 by mailohilohi
- Der Hai schwimmt schnell durch das glitzernde Meer.The shark swims swiftly through the sparkling sea.
- Da ist ein großer Haifisch im Starnberger See!There is a big shark in Lake Starnberg!
- Der Hai hat scharfe Zähne.The shark has sharp teeth.
- Die Größe des Hais ist beeindruckend.The size of the shark is impressive.
- Der Hai ist ein furchterregendes Tier.The shark is a terrifying animal.
- Haie sind Raubtiere der Meere.Sharks are predators of the sea.
- Es gibt viele verschiedene Haiarten.There are many different shark species.
- Haie haben eine beeindruckende Schwimmgeschwindigkeit.Sharks have an impressive swimming speed.
- 59 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are watching a nature documentary together.
- LukasSiehst du den Hai?Do you see the shark?
- JuliaJa, der Hai ist riesig!Yes, the shark is huge!
- LukasEin Hai ist wirklich gefährlich.A shark is truly dangerous.
- JuliaLukas, schau mal, wie er schwimmt!Lukas, look how it swims!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shark” translations and entries Hai, Haifisch, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Hai, Haifisch, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
