das  Vögeln

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈføːɡl̩n/

🐦📖 What does 'das Vögeln' mean?

'Das Vögeln' is the nominalization of the verb vögeln (to bird-watch / to fuck). It has two very different meanings:

1. Bird watching: The act of observing birds in their natural habitat. This meaning is very rare today and usually expressed with 'die Vogelbeobachtung'.
2. Sexual intercourse (vulgar): 🚨 This is the predominantly used, but highly vulgar and colloquial meaning for the act of copulation. Using it in this sense is often derogatory or at least very crude.

⚠️ Due to the dominant vulgar meaning, the word should be used with extreme caution if the (rare) meaning of bird watching is intended, as it will almost always be misunderstood.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'das Vögeln'

'Das Vögeln' is a nominalized verb (from the infinitive vögeln). Like most nominalized infinitives in German, it is neuter (sächlich) and generally used only in the singular.

Declension (Singular)

A plural ('die Vögeln') is grammatically unusual and practically non-existent.

💡 Examples

1. Referring to bird watching: „Das Vögeln im Morgengrauen war entspannend.“ ('Bird watching at dawn was relaxing.' - Rare, sounds unusual)
2. As a vulgar expression: „Er redete ständig nur übers Vögeln.“ ('He constantly talked only about fucking.' - Warning: vulgar!)

🗣️ How is 'das Vögeln' used?

Context is absolutely crucial and almost always problematic with 'das Vögeln'.

• Bird watching: Use in this sense is extremely rare and often sounds stilted or old-fashioned. People typically use 'die Vogelbeobachtung' or paraphrases like 'Vögel beobachten' (to watch birds) instead. Using 'das Vögeln' here can easily lead to embarrassing misunderstandings.
• Sexual intercourse (vulgar): 🚨 This is the dominant meaning in contemporary usage. The word belongs to vulgar language (Vulgärsprache) and is perceived as coarse, crude, or derogatory. It should absolutely be avoided in formal or polite conversations. Even in informal contexts, it can be considered inappropriate depending on the company. Comparable German words include 'der Beischlaf' (neutral/medical), 'der Sex' (neutral/colloquial), or other vulgar terms.

🧠 Mnemonics

Article: Nominalized verbs are usually neuter: das Laufen (running), das Essen (eating), das Schlafen (sleeping)... and also das Vögeln. Think of 'das Doing'.

Meaning: Think of the two sides: The *innocent* little birds (Vögel → bird watching, rare!) and the *direct, crude* action the verb usually implies today (→ vulgar slang, common!). Adding 'das' turns the action into a noun.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words

• Vögel (plural noun): The animals themselves (Birds). „Die Vögel singen.“ (The birds are singing.)
• vögeln (verb): The verb, almost exclusively used vulgarly for sexual intercourse. „Er will mit ihr vögeln.“ (He wants to fuck her. - Warning: vulgar!)

😂 A little Joke

German: Warum nehmen Ornithologen immer einen Notizblock mit zum Vögeln? – Damit sie sich die Flugrouten notieren können!

English: Why do ornithologists always take a notepad with them for 'Vögeln' (bird watching / fucking)? – So they can note down the flight paths!

(This joke intentionally plays on the ambiguity but refers harmlessly to bird watching.)

✒️ Little Poem

German:
Am frühen Morgen, Tau im Gras,
beginnt für manche heut' das Spaß,
man sucht im Wald, ganz leis' und still,
ob man ein selten' Vöglein seh'n will.
Ein Fernglas hilft, ganz ungestört,
damit man sie nicht beim Singen stört.
Doch sag das Wort nicht laut heraus,
sonst denkt man schnell an wilden Schmaus!

English Translation:
Early morning, dew on grass,
for some today begins the fun/pastime,
searching woods, quiet and still,
if one a rare small bird might see at will.
Binoculars help, quite undisturbed,
so their singing isn't perturbed.
But don't say the word out loud,
or thoughts might turn towards the wild crowd!

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Tun, stets sächlich, klar,
Mal harmlos, liebenswert sogar,
Wenn Federvieh im Fokus steht,
Und man durch Wald und Wiesen geht.

Doch sag mich flapsig, derb und laut,
Hab ich 'ne andre, wilde Haut.
Dann bin ich kurz, direkt, vulgär,
Und Höflichkeit liegt mir sehr fern.

Was bin ich?

English:
I am an action, always neuter, clear,
Sometimes harmless, even dear,
When feathered creatures are the focus sought,
And through the woods and meadows one has walked.

But say me crudely, coarse and loud,
I wear another, wilder shroud.
Then I am short, direct, vulgar,
And politeness is quite far.

What am I?

Solution: das Vögeln

🧩 Other Information

Word Formation

'Das Vögeln' is a nominalization of the infinitive (Substantivierung des Infinitivs) of the verb 'vögeln'. This is a common process in German (e.g., Laufen - running, Schwimmen - swimming, Essen - eating).

Etymology

The verb 'vögeln' derives from 'Vogel' (bird). The vulgar meaning likely developed either from comparing the mating act of birds or from hunter/falconer language (referring to 'billing and cooing' or capturing). However, the exact origin is not definitively clear.