der  Bär

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bɛːɐ̯/

🐻 What does "der Bär" mean?

The word der Bär primarily refers to a large, strong mammal with thick fur from the Ursidae family – simply put, a bear. It is a masculine noun in German.

• Main meaning: The animal, e.g., Braunbär (brown bear), Eisbär (polar bear), Grizzlybär (grizzly bear).
• Derived meanings:
  • Teddybär: A popular children's toy (teddy bear).
  • Gummibär: A bear-shaped candy (gummy bear).
  • Figuratively: Sometimes a person is called a "Bär" if they are big and strong, or perhaps a bit clumsy. The adjective bärig means strong or large.

⚠️ Note that "Bär" is always masculine and has a special declension pattern (see grammar section).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🤓 Grammar of "der Bär"

"Der Bär" is a masculine noun and belongs to the group of so-called weak nouns (N-declension). This means it takes the ending "-en" in all cases except the nominative singular.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Nominative Sg.: Der Bär schläft im Winter.
   (The bear sleeps in winter.)
2. Genitive Sg.: Die Spuren des Bären sind im Schnee zu sehen.
   (The bear's tracks can be seen in the snow.)
3. Dative Sg.: Der Jäger folgt dem Bären.
   (The hunter follows the bear.)
4. Akkusativ Sg.: Ich habe den Bären im Wald gesehen.
   (I saw the bear in the forest.)
5. Nominativ Pl.: Die Bären suchen nach Futter.
   (The bears are looking for food.)

🤔 How to use "der Bär"?

"Der Bär" is mostly used in biological or zoological contexts, but also features in stories, fairy tales, and idioms.

• Biology/Zoo: Discussions about animals, nature documentaries (e.g., Der Braunbär ist in Europa heimisch. - The brown bear is native to Europe.)
• Stories/Fairy Tales: Often depicted as a strong, sometimes dangerous, sometimes fatherly figure (e.g., Goldlöckchen und die drei Bären - Goldilocks and the Three Bears).
• Idioms:
  • Jemandem einen Bären aufbinden: To tell someone a tall tale, to pull someone's leg (literally: 'to tie a bear onto someone').
  • Einen Bärenhunger haben: To be ravenously hungry (literally: 'to have a bear's hunger').
  • Stark wie ein Bär sein: To be as strong as an ox (literally: 'to be strong as a bear').
  • Hier steppt der Bär: This place is rocking/lively (literally: 'the bear is dancing here').
• Comparison: Unlike smaller predators like der Fuchs (the fox) or der Wolf (the wolf), der Bär often represents sheer strength and size.

💡 Memory Aids for "Bär"

Article Mnemonic

Think of a big, strong male figure - maybe a hairy guy. He is strong like a bear. He is 'der Mann' (the man), and the bear is also masculine: der Bär. Both are strong 'der' words.

Meaning Mnemonic

The German word "Bär" sounds very much like the English word "bear". Imagine a bear letting out a mighty roar that sounds like "Baaaair!"

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

Synonyms

• Meister Petz: A common, somewhat affectionate or personifying name used in fables and stories, similar to calling a fox "Reynard".
• (Colloquial, regional): Might be described differently depending on context (e.g., "Großer Brauner" - 'Big Brown One').

Antonyms

There are no direct antonyms. However, you can contrast it with animals considered the opposite of 'large and strong':

• Maus (die): Mouse (small and nimble).
• Hase (der): Hare/Rabbit (fast and rather timid).

Potential Confusion ⚠️

• Beere (die): Sounds similar but means berry (a fruit) and is feminine. (Ich esse eine Beere, nicht einen Bären! - I'm eating a berry, not a bear!)
• Bar (die): Means a bar (place for drinks); different article and meaning.
• bar: An adjective (cashless, naked) or adverb (pay cash immediately).

😄 Beary Funny Joke

German: Fragt ein Bär den anderen: "Warum brummst du denn so traurig?" Sagt der andere Bär: "Ich habe meine Mama verloren." Fragt der erste Bär: "Und wie hast du sie gerufen?" Antwortet der zweite Bär: "Brumm!"

English: One bear asks another: "Why are you growling so sadly?" The other bear says: "I lost my mom." The first bear asks: "And how did you call for her?" The second bear answers: "Growl!"

📜 Poetry about the Bear

Der Bär

Im tiefen Wald, wo Schatten wohnen,
lebt der Bär auf weichen Kronen
aus Moos und Laub, sein Reich so weit,
er träumt von Honig, süßer Zeit.

Mit Tatzen stark und Fell so dicht,
zeigt er im Mond ein Zottelgesicht.
Des Bären Kraft, sie ist bekannt,
ein König hier im wilden Land.

---

The Bear (Translation)

In the deep woods, where shadows reside,
lives the bear on soft crowns made wide
of moss and leaves, his realm so vast,
he dreams of honey, sweet time passed.

With paws so strong and fur so dense,
he shows a shaggy face, immense
in moonlight. The bear's might is renowned,
a king here in the wild, profound.

❓ Who am I?

Ich bin groß und stark, hab dichtes Fell,
liebe Honig, bin aber nicht immer schnell.
Im Winter schlaf ich tief und fest,
man nennt mich Meister Petz als Test.

Wer bin ich?

---

(I am large and strong, have thick fur,
love honey, but I'm not always quick to stir.
In winter, I sleep soundly and deep,
They call me Meister Petz, secrets to keep.)

Who am I?
Show Answer Der Bär (The Bear)

🧐 Interesting Facts about "der Bär"

• Heraldic Animal: The bear is a well-known heraldic animal, for example for Berlin (Berliner Bär) and Bern (Switzerland).
• Constellation: There are the constellations "Ursa Major" (Großer Bär) and "Ursa Minor" (Kleiner Bär) in the night sky.
• Etymology: The word "Bär" comes from the Old High German "bero", likely meaning "the brown one".
• Cultural Significance: In many cultures, the bear plays an important role in myths, legends, and as a spirit animal (Krafttier).