das  Fell

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛl/

🐾 What exactly is "das Fell"?

The word das Fell (neuter gender) primarily refers to the dense coat of hair on mammals, which serves as protection against cold, wetness, or injury. It includes both the hair itself and the associated layer of skin.

• Main meaning: The entirety of hair covering a mammal's body (e.g., Katzenfell - cat fur, Bärenfell - bear fur). A common synonym is der Pelz, although Pelz sometimes implies processed fur (e.g., for clothing) or particularly dense/valuable fur.
• Other meaning: The removed skin of an animal including the hair (animal hide, pelt).
• Colloquial/Derogatory: Rarely and rather derogatorily used for human skin (e.g., "sich aufs Fell legen" for "to lie down").
• Specific use: Sometimes used for the membrane of a drum (Trommelfell - although this usually refers to the anatomical 'eardrum', the analogy to stretched skin exists).

⚠️ There is only the article das for this word in its main meanings. Confusion is rare.

🔬 Grammar of "das Fell" in Detail

"Das Fell" is a noun (Nomen) of neuter gender (sächlich). It follows the strong declension pattern.

Declension Singular

Note: In the Genitive and Dative singular, the ending -e is optional and less commonly used today (des Fells, dem Fell).

Declension Plural

Example Sentences 📝

• Der Hund hat ein sehr weiches Fell. (The dog has very soft fur. - Nominative Singular)
• Die Farbe des Felles / des Fells ist braun. (The color of the fur is brown. - Genitive Singular)
• Ich streichle dem Fell der Katze. (I pet the cat's fur. - Dative Singular - less common, more usual: Ich streichle das Fell der Katze.)
• Die Katze putzt ihr Fell. (The cat cleans its fur. - Accusative Singular)
• Im Winter bekommen viele Tiere dichtere Felle. (In winter, many animals get thicker coats/furs. - Nominative Plural)
• Der Wert der Felle war früher sehr hoch. (The value of the pelts/furs used to be very high. - Genitive Plural)
• Man sieht an den Fellen, ob die Tiere gesund sind. (One can tell from the coats/furs if the animals are healthy. - Dative Plural)
• Der Händler verkaufte viele Felle. (The merchant sold many pelts/furs. - Accusative Plural)

💡 How is "das Fell" used?

"Das Fell" is mainly used in the context of animals:

• Animal description: Describing the appearance, texture, or color of a mammal's coat. Example: Das Kaninchen hat ein flauschiges Fell. (The rabbit has fluffy fur.)
• Material: Referring to animal skin, especially when processed into clothing or blankets. Example: Sie trug einen Mantel aus echtem Fell. (She wore a coat made of real fur.) (Here, Pelz is also common).
• Grooming: In connection with grooming the animal's coat. Example: Die Fellpflege ist bei langhaarigen Hunden wichtig. (Grooming is important for long-haired dogs.)
• Idioms: There are several fixed expressions:
  • Jemandem das Fell über die Ohren ziehen: (Literally: to pull the fur over someone's ears) To rip someone off, to cheat someone.
  • Jemandem aufs Fell rücken: (Literally: to move onto someone's fur) To get too close to someone, to crowd or bother someone.
  • Sein Fell zu Markte tragen: (Literally: to carry one's fur to the market) To offer oneself and one's skills, to put oneself out there.
  • Ein dickes Fell haben: (Literally: to have thick fur) To be thick-skinned, insensitive to criticism or insults.

Distinction from Pelz: While Fell refers to the general coat of a mammal, Pelz is often used more specifically for particularly dense, soft, or processed fur. However, in everyday language, the terms are often used interchangeably.

Distinction from Haut: Haut means skin in general, including human skin or that of hairless animals. Fell always implies the presence of hair.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Fell"

For the article 'das': Think of das Tier (the animal). Many animals have fur. Tier is neuter (das Tier), so its 'coat' is also neuter: das Fell.

For the meaning: The word "Fell" sounds a bit like the English word "feel". You want to feel soft animal Fell.

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Falle (die): A trap or a tricky situation. Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning and gender (feminine).
• Fall (der): Case (event, grammar), fall/tumble. Also sounds similar, but different meaning and gender (masculine).
• Fels (der): Rock, cliff.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum tragen Eisbären ein dickes Fell?
Weil sie in T-Shirts frieren würden!

(Why do polar bears wear thick fur?
Because they would freeze in T-shirts!)

📜 Poem about Fur

Das warme Fell

Ein Mantel weich, von der Natur geschenkt,
Das Fell, das schützt, wenn kalter Wind uns lenkt.
Ob Bär, ob Fuchs, ob Kätzchen klein,
es hüllt sie warm und kuschelig ein.

Im Sommer dünn, im Winter dicht,
es wahrt das Leben, ist des Tieres Pflicht.
Ein Wunderwerk, so sanft, so rein,
so soll das Fell der Tiere sein.

The Warm Fur

A soft coat, gifted by nature's hand,
The fur, that shields when cold winds cross the land.
Be it bear, or fox, or kitten small,
it wraps them warm and cozy, standing tall.

In summer thin, in winter thick,
it guards their life, it does the trick.
A marvel soft, so pure, so fine,
so should the animal's fur shine.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin der Mantel vieler Tiere,
halte warm, dass keines friere.
Mal bin ich zottig, mal ganz glatt,
mal werd' ich zur Jacke für die Stadt.
Was bin ich?

(I am the coat of many animals,
I keep them warm, so none feels chills.
Sometimes I'm shaggy, sometimes smooth and flat,
sometimes I become a city jacket, just like that.
What am I?)

Answer: Das Fell (The fur/pelt)

🧩 More Information

Etymology

The German word "Fell" comes from the Old High German word "fel", which already meant "skin, fur". It is related to the Latin "pellis" (skin, hide) and the Greek "pélla" (skin), tracing back to an Indo-European root meaning "skin, covering".

Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen)

"Fell" is part of many compound words in German:

• Fellpflege: Fur care/grooming.
• Fellfarbe: Fur color.
• Fellwechsel: Seasonal shedding/change of coat.
• Katzenfell, Hundefell, Bärenfell etc.: Cat fur, dog fur, bear fur, etc.
• Trommelfell: Eardrum (or drumhead).
• Fellig: Adjective meaning "furry" or "resembling fur".