das  Tier

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/tiːɐ̯/

🐾 What does "das Tier" mean?

The German word das Tier generally refers to a living being that is not a human (Mensch) and not a plant (Pflanze). It belongs to the biological kingdom Animalia. In a broader sense, it can also refer to raw, uncivilized behavior (often pejoratively, similar to 'beast').

There is only one article for the word Tier: das. It is a neuter noun.

• Main meaning: animal, creature (non-human, non-plant)
• Figurative meaning (less common): person with raw behavior (e.g., "Er benahm sich wie ein Tier." - He behaved like an animal.)

🚨 There are no common mistakes regarding the article, as "das Tier" is firmly established.

🧐 Grammar of "das Tier" in Detail

"Das Tier" is a neuter noun. Its declension is as follows:

Note: In the singular genitive case, both forms ("Tieres" and "Tiers") are correct. The dative singular form "Tiere" is dated but may still be found in set phrases or older literature.

Example Sentences

• Im Wald lebt ein scheues Tier. (A shy animal lives in the forest.) - Nominative Singular
• Das Fell des Tieres ist sehr dicht. (The animal's fur is very thick.) - Genitive Singular
• Ich gebe dem Tier Futter. (I give food to the animal.) - Dative Singular
• Hast du das Tier gesehen? (Did you see the animal?) - Accusative Singular
• Viele verschiedene Tiere leben im Zoo. (Many different animals live in the zoo.) - Nominative Plural
• Die Vielfalt der Tiere ist erstaunlich. (The diversity of the animals is amazing.) - Genitive Plural
• Wir helfen den Tieren im Winter. (We help the animals in winter.) - Dative Plural
• Wir beobachten die Tiere genau. (We observe the animals closely.) - Accusative Plural

💡 How to use "das Tier"?

• General Language: Very commonly used to talk about any non-human living creature (Hund, Katze, Vogel, Fisch, Insekt etc.). Example: „Kinder lieben Tiere.“ (Children love animals.)
• Biology: Technical term for the kingdom Animalia. Example: „Die Zelle ist die Grundeinheit aller Tiere.“ (The cell is the basic unit of all animals.)
• Pets vs. Wild Animals: Often used in compound words like Haustier (pet) or Wildtier (wild animal). Example: „Ein Hund ist ein Haustier, ein Wolf ein Wildtier.“ (A dog is a pet, a wolf is a wild animal.)
• Figurative (derogatory): To describe raw, brutal, or uncontrolled behavior. Example: „Nach dem Tor brüllte er wie ein wildes Tier.“ (After the goal, he roared like a wild animal.) (Here more metaphorical, not necessarily purely negative)

Distinction from similar words:

• Kreatur (die): Often used similarly to Tier, sometimes with a slightly more emotional or old-fashioned connotation; can also include mythical creatures.
• Bestie (die): Clearly negative, emphasizes the wild, dangerous, uncontrollable aspect of an animal or (figuratively) a person.
• Lebewesen (das): Broader term, also includes plants and microorganisms.

🧠 Memory Aids for "das Tier"

Article Mnemonic (das): Think of something neutral and general, like DAS vast kingdom of animals. Or imagine a small, cute animal, often referred to with neutral diminutives like „das Kleine“ (the little one) – think das Tierchen, das Tier.

Meaning Mnemonic (Animal): The word "Tier" sounds a bit like the English word "deer". A deer is a typical animal (Tier).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for das Tier

⚠️ Potential for Confusion:

• Tür (die): Sounds similar, but means "door".

😂 A Little Joke

Lehrer: „Welches Tier kann höher springen als der Eiffelturm?“

Fritzchen: „Jedes! Der Eiffelturm kann ja gar nicht springen!“

Translation:

Teacher: "Which animal can jump higher than the Eiffel Tower?"

Little Fritz: "Every animal! The Eiffel Tower can't jump at all!"

📜 Poem about Animals

Das Tier, groß und klein,
soll unser Freund stets sein.
Ob Fell, ob Schuppe, Federkleid,
es lebt in seiner eig'nen Zeit.

Mal wild, mal zahm, mal laut, mal still,
ein jedes lebt, so wie es will.
Das Tier, ein Wunder der Natur,
beschütz es auf der Lebensspur.

Translation:

The animal, large and small,
should always be our friend.
Whether fur, scales, or feathers bright,
it lives within its own time's light.

Sometimes wild, sometimes tame, sometimes loud, sometimes still,
each one lives according to its will.
The animal, a wonder of nature pure,
protect it on life's path, ensure.

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich belle nicht, miau nicht, summ nicht laut,
doch bin auf dieser Welt gebaut.
Ich kann fliegen, schwimmen, kriechen,
manchmal muss ich vor dir fliehen.
Ich bin kein Mensch und keine Pflanze hier.
Sag schnell, was bin ich? Ein...

Lösung/Solution: das Tier

Translation:

I don't bark, don't meow, don't buzz aloud,
but on this world, I'm built, endowed.
I can fly, swim, crawl along,
sometimes from you, I must be gone.
I am no human and no plant right here.
Tell me quickly, what am I? A...

Answer: animal (das Tier)

➕ More Info on "Tier"

• Etymology: The word "Tier" comes from Old High German "tior" and is related to the English word "deer" (which originally meant animal in general, now specifically deer).
• Compound Words: There are many compound words with "Tier", e.g., Tierarzt (veterinarian), Tiergarten (zoo, animal garden), Tierliebe (love for animals), Tierschutz (animal protection), Tierwelt (animal world), Haustier (pet), Wildtier (wild animal), Nutztier (farm animal/livestock), Säugetier (mammal), Wassertier (aquatic animal).
• Idioms: „Ein hohes Tier sein“ (to be a bigwig / important person), „Tierischer Ernst“ (deadly serious / great seriousness).