das  Fohlen

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfoːlən/

🐎 What Exactly is a Fohlen?

The word Fohlen means a young horse, typically in its first year of life. It's the young offspring of horses, donkeys, zebras, and other equids.

It is a noun with the article das. Therefore, it is neuter (sächlich).

• Meaning: Young horse (up to about one year old)
• Article: das
• Gender: Neuter (sächlich)

🚨 Attention: Although a foal can be male or female, the word Fohlen itself is always grammatically neuter (Neutrum).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar in Detail: Das Fohlen

The noun "Fohlen" is neuter and is declined as follows:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Das kleine Fohlen steht unsicher auf seinen Beinen.
   (The little foal stands unsteadily on its legs.)
2. Die Stute kümmert sich liebevoll um ihr Fohlen.
   (The mare lovingly cares for her foal.)
3. Wir beobachteten die spielenden Fohlen auf der Weide.
   (We watched the playing foals in the pasture.)
4. Der Tierarzt untersuchte das Bein des Fohlens.
   (The veterinarian examined the foal's leg.)
5. Den neugeborenen Fohlen geht es gut.
   (The newborn foals are doing well.)

🗣️ How to Use "Fohlen"?

"Fohlen" is used specifically to talk about young horses in their first year of life. It's a common term in agriculture, horse breeding, veterinary medicine, and general language use when discussing horses.

• Context: Farms, riding stables, zoos, animal documentaries, conversations about animals.
• Distinction: Older horses are referred to differently depending on gender and age (e.g., Stute for adult female horses, Hengst for male, Wallach for castrated male, Jährling for a one-year-old horse).
• Figuratively: Rarely, "Fohlen" can also be used metaphorically for something young, impetuous, or clumsy, but this is not very common.

🧠 Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic (das): Think of das Kind (the child). A Fohlen is like a horse child, and many young concepts or diminutives in German are neuter ('das'). So: das Fohlen.

Meaning Mnemonic (foal): The word Fohlen sounds a bit like the English word "fallen". Picture a young horse, still unsteady on its legs, almost fallen over. Or think 'followin' - the foal is always followin' its mother.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential for Confusion):

• fohlen (verb): The verb "fohlen" means "to foal" (to give birth to a foal). Example: Die Stute hat gestern gefohlt. (The mare foaled yesterday.)

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Fohlen seine Mutter: "Mama, sind wir Rennpferde?"

Sagt die Mutter: "Nein, mein Kleines, wir sind Acker-gäule."

Das Fohlen enttäuscht: "Och, schade..."

Mutter: "Sei nicht traurig, dafür ackern wir wenigstens nicht umsonst!" 😉

Translation:

A foal asks its mother: "Mom, are we racehorses?"

The mother says: "No, my little one, we are draught horses (literally: field nags)."

The foal, disappointed: "Oh, what a pity..."

Mother: "Don't be sad, at least we don't toil (ackern) for nothing!" (A pun on 'Acker' - field/ploughing and 'ackern' - to toil/work hard). 😉

📜 A Foal Poem

Auf der Weide, grün und frisch,
steht ein Fohlen, gar nicht tisch-
eckig, nein, ganz rund und klein,
tapsig noch auf zartem Bein.

Schnuppert hier und stupst die Mama,
kennt noch kein Lebensdrama.
Mähne weht im sanften Wind,
glücklich ist das Pferdekind.

Translation:

In the pasture, green and fresh,
stands a foal, not at all table-
cornered, no, quite round and small,
still wobbly on tender legs.

Sniffing here and nudging its mama,
knows no life drama yet.
Mane blows in the gentle wind,
happy is the horse child.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin jung und hab vier Beine,
lauf der Mutter hinterher, die meine.
Bin ich männlich oder weiblich klein,
nennt man mich doch allgemein
mit sächlichem Artikel, das ist klar.
Wer bin ich wohl? Rate mal!

Translation:

I am young and have four legs,
I run after my mother.
Whether I am male or female small,
I am generally called
with a neuter article, that's clear.
Who am I? Guess!

Solution: das Fohlen (the foal)

💡 More About Fohlen

• Male vs. Female: A male foal is called a Hengstfohlen (colt), a female foal is called a Stutfohlen (filly).
• Development: Foals can often stand and walk just a few hours after birth.
• Word Origin: The word "Fohlen" comes from the Old High German "folo", which also meant "young horse". It is related to the English word "foal".
• Plural Form: The plural is identical to the singular: ein Fohlen (a foal), viele Fohlen (many foals). Only the article changes (das Fohlen, die Fohlen).