der  Fang

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/faŋ/

🎯 What does "der Fang" mean?

The noun der Fang (masculine) has several meanings:

• The catch / The prey: This refers to the result of fishing or hunting, i.e., the captured animals. Example: Der Angler war stolz auf seinen großen Fang. (The fisherman was proud of his big catch.)
• The fang / tooth (of a predator): Especially the long, pointed canine teeth of predators are called Fänge (plural). Example: Der Wolf fletschte die Fänge. (The wolf bared its fangs.)
• The act of catching (rare): Sometimes it is used for the act of catching itself, but this is less common than das Fangen.

🚨 Attention: Don't confuse it with the verb fangen (to catch).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of "der Fang" in Detail

Fang is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences:

1. Der heutige Fang war eher mager. (Today's catch was rather meagre.) - Meaning: prey
2. Die spitzen Fänge des Tigers sind beeindruckend. (The tiger's sharp fangs are impressive.) - Meaning: teeth
3. Ein guter Fang auf dem Heiratsmarkt ist selten. (A good catch on the marriage market is rare.) - Meaning: metaphorically, a good partner

💡 How "der Fang" is used

The usage of der Fang heavily depends on the context:

• In fishing and hunting: The meaning "catch" or "prey" is most common here. People talk about the Fang des Tages (catch of the day) or a kapitalen Fang (huge catch).
• In zoology/biology: When talking about predators, der Fang (mostly plural: die Fänge) refers to the fangs.
• Metaphorically: You can also speak of a guten Fang (good catch) when you have "caught" a valuable person (e.g., partner) or thing. Example: Dieser neue Mitarbeiter war ein echter Glücksfang. (This new employee was a real stroke of luck/a great catch.)
• Technology/Mechanics: Less commonly, Fang can also denote a device for catching or holding (e.g., Türfang - door catch).

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Fang"

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Fischer (the fisherman) or der Jäger (the hunter) who makes der Fang (the catch). The masculine agent performing the action matches the masculine noun.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine using your fangs (Fänge) to make a catch (Fang). The word links both the tool (fang) and the result (catch)!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but different words:

• fangen (verb): The act of catching. Der Fang is the result.
• die Fangleine: A rope used for catching or securing (e.g., in climbing).

😂 A little joke

Fragt ein Angler den anderen: „Und, beißen die Fische heute?“ Sagt der andere: „Ob sie beißen, weiß ich nicht. Aber streicheln lassen sie sich bestimmt nicht – sonst hätte ich schon einen Fang!“ 😉

Translation: One fisherman asks another: "So, are the fish biting today?" The other replies: "I don't know if they're biting. But they certainly won't let you pet them – otherwise, I'd already have a catch!" 😉

🎵 Poem about the Catch

Am frühen Morgen, still und rein,
wirft der Fischer die Angel ein.
Er hofft auf einen guten Fang,
doch die Zeit wird ihm heut' lang.
Plötzlich zuckt die Leine sehr,
ein großer Fisch, er wehrt sich schwer!
Der Fischer zieht, mit Kraft und Drang,
endlich ist er da, der stolze Fang!

Translation:
In the early morning, quiet and pure,
The fisherman casts his line for sure.
He hopes for a good catch to bring,
But time today feels like a long thing.
Suddenly the line twitches hard,
A big fish fights, playing its card!
The fisherman pulls with might and strain,
Finally, it's here, the proud catch again!

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin das Ziel von Jäger und Fischer,
manchmal auch ein scharfer Beißer.
Im Maul des Wolfs zeig' ich Gefahr,
bin mal Beute, mal Zahn – wunderbar!

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am the goal of hunter and fisher,
Sometimes also a sharp biter.
In the wolf's mouth, I show danger near,
I'm sometimes prey, sometimes fang – it's wonderfully clear!

What am I?
(Solution: der Fang)

💡 Other Interesting Info

Word Origin: The word Fang derives directly from the verb fangen (to catch), which goes back to the Old High German fāhan, meaning "to grasp, to seize".

Compound Words: There are several compound nouns with Fang, e.g.:

• Der Beifang: Bycatch (animals caught unintentionally, especially in fishing).
• Der Raubtierfang: The catching of predators.
• Der Fangarm: Tentacle of cephalopods used for catching prey.