das  Lamm

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/lam/

🐑 What exactly is a 'Lamm'?

The word das Lamm (plural: die Lämmer) has several meanings:

• Young sheep: The most common meaning is the young offspring of a sheep, typically less than one year old. Example: Viele kleine Lämmer spielten auf der Wiese. (Many little lambs played in the meadow.)
• Lamb meat: It also refers to the meat of young sheep used as food. Example: Zu Ostern gibt es oft Lammbraten. (There's often roast lamb for Easter.)
• Symbolic meaning: In religious (especially Christian) and cultural contexts, the lamb often symbolizes innocence, gentleness, and sacrifice (e.g., 'das Lamm Gottes' - the Lamb of God).

It is a neuter noun and always takes the article das.

🧐 Grammar of 'das Lamm' in Detail

Das Lamm is a noun of neuter gender (sächlich). Here is its declension:

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das kleine Lamm folgte seiner Mutter. (The little lamb followed its mother.)
2. Der Geschmack des Lammes war ausgezeichnet. (The taste of the lamb was excellent.)
3. Wir gaben dem Lamm etwas Milch. (We gave the lamb some milk.)
4. Der Hirte zählt jedes einzelne Lamm. (The shepherd counts every single lamb.)
5. Die Lämmer sprangen fröhlich über die Weide. (The lambs jumped happily across the pasture.)

💬 How to Use 'Lamm'?

• Everyday Language: Often used in the context of farming, nature, or cooking. "Wir haben auf dem Bauernhof süße Lämmer gesehen." (We saw cute lambs on the farm.) or "Ich kaufe Lammfleisch für das Abendessen." (I'm buying lamb meat for dinner.)
• Religious/Symbolic Context: Frequently used in relation to Easter or biblical stories. The expression "Lamm Gottes" (Lamb of God, Agnus Dei) is a well-known example.
• Metaphorically: Someone might be described as "unschuldig wie ein Lamm" (innocent as a lamb) to express gentleness or naivety. The idiom "lammfromm" describes someone very meek or submissive.
• Distinction: A Lamm is young. An adult female animal is a Mutterschaf or Aue (ewe), an adult male is a Schafbock or Widder (ram). A castrated ram is a Hammel (wether). The general word for the species is das Schaf (sheep).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Lamm'

Article Mnemonic: Imagine DAS little creature is so new and neutral ('sächlich') in the world, it's not yet a HE (Widder) or SHE (Aue) – it's just DAS Lamm. Think of 'das' as the default for many young animals before gender is emphasized.

Meaning Mnemonic: The English word 'lamb' sounds very similar to the German Lamm. Just remember the 'a' sound is short and sharp in German, like in 'apple'.

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse Lamm (lamb) with lahm (adjective meaning lame/paralyzed).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat das Schaf einen Computer mit auf die Weide genommen?
Damit es im Internet surfen kann, wenn die Lämmer schlafen! 🐑💻

Translation:

Why did the sheep take a computer to the pasture?
So it could surf the web when the lambs were asleep!

🎵 A Little Poem

Auf grüner Wies', ganz frisch und klamm,
hüpft froh umher das kleine Lamm.
Weiß wie der Schnee, so weich sein Fell,
rennt vor dem Hirten blitzesschnell.
Ein Symbol der Unschuld, sanft und rein,
so soll's im Frühling immer sein.

Translation:

On meadow green, so fresh and damp,
hops happily about the little lamb.
White as the snow, its fleece so soft,
runs from the shepherd, lightning-swift aloft.
A symbol of innocence, gentle and pure,
so may it always be in springtime's lure.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin klein und hab ein weißes Kleid,
bin bekannt für meine Sanftigkeit.
Zu Ostern bin ich oft dabei,
als Braten oder Bäckerei.
Mein 'Mäh' hörst du schon von fern,
wer bin ich denn, sag's mir, mein Stern?

Translation:

I am small and wear a coat of white,
known for my gentleness and light.
At Easter, I am often near,
as roast or baked good, bringing cheer.
My 'baa' you hear from far away,
who am I then, tell me, bright ray?

Solution: Das Lamm (The lamb)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Word Compounds: Lammfell (lambskin), Lammfromm (adjective: meek as a lamb, very gentle, submissive), Lammkeule (leg of lamb), Osterlamm (Easter lamb).
• Cultural Significance: The lamb plays an important role in many cultures and religions, often as a symbol of sacrifice (e.g., Pessach-Lamm in Judaism, Lamm Gottes / Lamb of God in Christianity).
• Idioms: "Sein Schäfchen ins Trockene bringen" (lit. 'to bring one's little sheep into the dry' - meaning to secure one's own advantage; relates more to sheep, but lambs are part of the flock).