der
Fink
🐦 What exactly is a 'Fink'?
Der Fink (plural: die Finken) refers to a type of small, often colourful songbird. In English, this is a finch. Finches belong to the family Fringillidae and are found in many parts of the world. They are known for their songs and often striking plumage.
There are many different species of finches, such as the Buchfink (chaffinch), Grünfink (greenfinch), or Stieglitz (goldfinch). In general German usage, "der Fink" can refer to the genus or stand for a well-known species like the chaffinch.
⚠️ Note: The word is always masculine (der Fink).
Article rules for der, die, and das
Large animals → mostly masculine.
✍️ Grammar & Declension of 'der Fink'
The noun "Fink" is masculine. It belongs to the weak nouns (n-declension), meaning it takes the ending -en in most cases other than the nominative singular.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Fink |
| Genitive | des | Finken |
| Dative | dem | Finken |
| Accusative | den | Finken |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Finken |
| Genitive | der | Finken |
| Dative | den | Finken |
| Accusative | die | Finken |
Example Sentences
- Im Garten singt ein Fink sein Lied.
(A finch is singing its song in the garden.) - Das bunte Gefieder des Finken leuchtet in der Sonne.
(The colourful plumage of the finch shines in the sun.) - Wir geben dem Finken im Winter Futter.
(We give the finch food in winter.) - Hast du den Finken auf dem Baum gesehen?
(Did you see the finch in the tree?) - Viele Finken versammeln sich am Vogelhaus.
(Many finches gather at the birdhouse.)
🗣️ How to use 'Fink'?
The term "Fink" is primarily used in biological or nature-related contexts when discussing birds. It can refer to the entire bird family or specific species.
- General: "Im Wald hört man viele verschiedene Finken zwitschern." (In the forest, you can hear many different finches chirping.)
- Specific: Often, the species is specified: "Ein Buchfink sitzt auf dem Ast." (A chaffinch is sitting on the branch.)
- Idiom: The idiom "fidel wie ein Fink sein" means to be very cheerful and lively (merry as a lark/finch). Example: "Nach dem Urlaub war er fidel wie ein Fink." (After the holiday, he was merry as a lark.)
Compared to "Vogel" (bird, a general term), "Fink" is more specific, denoting a particular type of songbird.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
For the article 'der': Think of a finch as a proud little gentleman bird, a 'sir'. 'Sir' sounds a bit like 'der'. So, it's der Fink.
For the meaning 'finch': The German word Fink sounds a bit like the English word 'think'. Imagine you 'think' you saw a small bird - it was a Fink (finch)!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar words):
- Singvogel: (Songbird) - A broader category, but often suitable.
- Buchfink, Grünfink, Stieglitz etc.: More specific species (can act as synonyms for the general term "Fink" depending on context).
- (Colloquial) Piepmatz: (Tweetie bird/little bird) - Affectionate, non-specific term for a small bird.
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Raubvogel: (Bird of prey) - Larger bird that hunts other animals (e.g., eagle, hawk).
- Laufvogel: (Ratite/flightless bird) - Bird that cannot fly or rarely flies (e.g., ostrich).
- (Figuratively) Muffel/Trübsalbläser: (Grump/gloomy person) - Opposite of "fidel wie ein Fink" (merry as a finch).
⚠️ Similar but different words:
- Zink (das): (Zinc) - A type of metal.
- flink: An adjective meaning quick or nimble.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Spaziergänger den anderen: "Haben Sie den Fink auf dem Baum gehört?"
Sagt der andere: "Nein, tut mir leid, ich spreche kein Vogel!"
Translation:
One walker asks another: "Did you hear the finch in the tree?"
The other says: "No, sorry, I don't speak Bird!"
📜 A Little Poem
Ein Fink, so klein und bunt,
singt fröhlich seine Rund'.
Im Baum, hoch oben sitzt er,
ein flinker, froher Flitzer.
Sein Lied erklingt so klar und rein,
so muss ein Vogel-Morgen sein.
Translation:
A finch, so small and bright,
Sings its cheerful rounds with might.
In the tree, it sits up high,
A nimble, happy passerby.
Its song rings out so clear and fine,
A bird's true morning, so divine.
🤔 Riddle Time
Ich bin klein und singe gern,
halte mich von Katzen fern.
Mein Name reimt sich auf "flink",
ich bin der muntere...?
Translation:
I am small and like to sing,
From cats, I keep my distance, taking wing.
My name rhymes with the English 'think',
I am the lively...?
Solution: der Fink (the finch)
🧩 Other Info & Trivia
- Etymology: The word "Fink" is onomatopoeic in origin, imitating the bird's call (similar to Kuckuck - cuckoo).
- Common Species: In Germany, the Buchfink (Chaffinch - Fringilla coelebs) and the Grünfink (Greenfinch - Chloris chloris) are very common.
- Idiom: "fidel wie ein Fink" (merry as a finch/lark) is a very common idiom for good spirits and liveliness.
- Surname: The surname "Fink" is relatively common in Germany and likely derives from occupational names (bird seller) or characteristics (cheerful person).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Fink?
The word "Fink" for the common songbird (finch) is always masculine in German. The correct form is: der Fink (plural: die Finken). It follows the weak declension pattern (genitive: des Finken).