Eichhörnchen
/ˈaɪ̯çˌhœʁnçən/neuter
The English word "squirrel" is translated into German as Eichhörnchen. Wiktionary also lists Hörnchen and Eichhorn.
Meaning: rodent (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Eichhörnchen | /ˈaɪ̯çˌhœʁnçən/ | neuter |
| Hörnchen | /ˈhœʁn.çən/ | neuter |
| Eichhorn | /ˈaɪ̯ç.hɔʁn/ | neuter |
| Eichkatze | /ˈaɪçˌkatsə/ | feminine |
| Eichkätzchen | /ˈaɪ̯çˌkɛt͡sçən/ (Germany) /ˈaɪ̯çˌkɛt͡sçɛn/ |
neuter |
| Eichkater | masculine | |
| Eichhase | masculine |
The term refers to the rodent known as a squirrel.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Eichhörnchen is a compound of Eiche (oak) and Hörnchen (little horn), literally meaning "little oak-horn".
Which one should you use?
Eichhörnchen is the standard everyday term. In contrast, Eichkatze (literally "oak cat") is a more technical or regional term for the common red squirrel. Other forms include Hörnchen, Eichhorn, Eichkätzchen, Eichkater and Eichhase.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Eichkatze is used as a regional term for the common red squirrel.
How does it change in a sentence?
Eichhörnchen is a neuter noun. Because it is a diminutive noun, it remains the same in both singular and plural forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaɪ̯çˌhœʁnçən/
Did you know?
- The word Hörnchen can refer to a squirrel, but in a bakery, it refers to a crescent-shaped pastry similar to a croissant.
- The common term Eichhörnchen is actually a case of folk etymology. While it looks like a combination of 'oak' and 'horn', it actually derives from an ancient Germanic word for the animal.
- While Eichhörnchen is the standard term, using Eichkater specifically describes a male squirrel as an 'oak tomcat'.
Examples in context
- War das ein Eichhörnchen?Was that a squirrel?This sentence is useful for asking if something was a Eichhörnchen.Tatoeba #3541681 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3385963 by Hybrid
- Ist das ein Eichhörnchen?Is that a squirrel?Tatoeba #5337548 by Sciuro_Kvar, translation #5337549 by Sciuro_Kvar
- Tom sah ein Eichhörnchen.Tom saw a squirrel.This sentence is useful for stating that someone saw a Eichhörnchen.Tatoeba #7798774 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7798731 by CK
- 202 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are walking in a forest park.
- SarahSchau mal, dort oben ist ein Eichhörnchen!Look, there is a squirrel up there!
- JulianOh ja, das Eichhörnchen ist sehr schnell.Oh yes, the squirrel is very fast.
- SarahEs sucht bestimmt nach Nüssen.It is probably looking for nuts.
- JulianDas kleine Eichhörnchen ist wirklich niedlich.The little squirrel is really cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “squirrel” translations and entries Eichhörnchen, Hörnchen, Eichhorn, Eichkatze, Eichkätzchen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Eichhorn, Eichhörnchen, Eichkatze, Hörnchen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
