der  Fuchs

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/fʊks/

🦊 What does "der Fuchs" mean?

The German word der Fuchs has several meanings:

• Animal: The most common meaning refers to the well-known predator from the dog family (Canidae), scientifically Vulpes vulpes (red fox). Füchse are known for their red fur, bushy tail, and cunning nature.
• Clever Person: Figuratively, "Fuchs" is often used for a particularly smart, cunning, or sly person. Example: "Er ist ein alter Fuchs, den legt man nicht so leicht herein." (He's an old fox, you can't easily fool him.)
• Horse Color: A horse with reddish-brown fur is called a "Fuchs" (chestnut horse).
• Student Fraternity Member: In German student fraternities (*Studentenverbindungen*), "Fuchs" refers to a new member in their first or first two semesters (probationary period).
• Freshman (dated): The term was also formerly used more generally for first-semester university students.

🚨 The primary meaning is the animal. The other meanings depend on the context.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Fuchs"

"Fuchs" is a masculine noun and uses the article "der". It belongs to the group of weak nouns with a peculiarity in the genitive singular (it adds -es, which is typical for strong nouns, but behaves weakly otherwise in older grammar models, modern views classify it more simply as masculine with specific endings).

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Example Sentences

• Der Fuchs schleicht durch den Wald. (The fox sneaks through the forest. - Nominative Singular)
• Das Fell des Fuchses leuchtet rötlich. (The fox's fur glows reddishly. - Genitive Singular)
• Die Jäger folgen dem Fuchs. (The hunters follow the fox. - Dative Singular)
• Hast du den schlauen Fuchs gesehen? (Have you seen the clever fox? - Accusative Singular, animal or person)
• Im Herbst sieht man viele Füchse. (In autumn, you see many foxes. - Nominative Plural)
• Die Spuren der Füchse führen in den Bau. (The foxes' tracks lead into the den. - Genitive Plural)
• Er ist als alter Fuchs bekannt. (He is known as an old fox (clever person). - Nominative Singular)
• Die Verbindung nimmt neue Füchse auf. (The fraternity accepts new 'Füchse' (pledges). - Accusative Plural)

💡 How "der Fuchs" is used

• Nature & Biology: When talking about the animal. "Der Fuchs gehört zu den heimischen Wildtieren." (The fox is one of the native wild animals.)
• Fairy Tales & Fables: The fox is a common character, usually depicted as cunning and sly (e.g., *Reineke Fuchs*). "Im Märchen überlistet der Fuchs die dumme Gans." (In the fairy tale, the fox outsmarts the stupid goose.)
• Colloquial (Person): For clever, experienced people. Often appreciative, sometimes slightly negative (sly). "Mein Opa ist ein alter Fuchs, wenn es ums Handeln geht." (My grandpa is an old fox when it comes to bargaining.)
• Equestrianism/Horse Breeding: To describe the coat color of a horse (chestnut). "Sie reitet einen eleganten Fuchs." (She rides an elegant chestnut horse.)
• Student Fraternities: Specific jargon for new members. "Die Füchse müssen erst ihre Probezeit bestehen." (The 'Füchse' must first pass their probationary period.)
• Idioms: There are several idioms with "Fuchs", e.g.:
  • "Schlau wie ein Fuchs sein" (to be as clever as a fox)
  • "Den Fuchs beim Schwanz erwischen" (literally: *to catch the fox by the tail* - *to achieve something difficult*, often ironically for *to be too late*)
  • "fuchsteufelswild sein" (to be hopping mad/furious - literally 'fox-devil-wild')

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning. Without context, it usually refers to the animal.

🧠 Memory Aids for "der Fuchs"

Article Mnemonic: Think of DER cunning fellow. The masculine attribute "cunning" or "clever" fits the masculine article der Fuchs.

Meaning Mnemonic: The English word "Fox" sounds very similar to "Fuchs". Imagine a red Furry undercover cunning hunter... sneaking! That spells F-U-C-H-S.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Wuchs (der): growth, stature (e.g., "von kleinem Wuchs" - of small stature) - sounds similar, but completely different meaning.
• Fuchsie (die): A type of plant (fuchsia flower). Feminine!

😂 A Little Joke

Treffen sich zwei Füchse. Sagt der eine: „Ich habe gestern Abend eine Gans geklaut!“ Fragt der andere: „Und, war sie fett?“ Antwortet der erste: „Nein, aber die Uhr darin war echt teuer!“

Translation:

Two foxes meet. One says: "I stole a goose last night!" The other asks: "And, was it fat?" The first replies: "No, but the watch inside it was really expensive!"

📜 Poem about the Fox

Rot im Pelz, mit schlauem Blick,
schleicht der Fuchs durchs Waldesdick.
Augen blitzen, Ohren spitz,
plant er schon den nächsten Witz?
Ob als Tier, ob als Student,
der Fuchs ist clever, kompetent.
Auf leisen Sohlen, schnell und fein,
so muss ein echter Fuchs wohl sein.

Translation:

Red in fur, with a cunning gaze,
the fox sneaks through the forest's maze.
Eyes are gleaming, ears alert,
is he planning the next spurt?
Whether animal or student bright,
the fox is clever, shining light.
On silent paws, so quick and fine,
a true fox must surely shine.

❓ Riddle

Ich schleiche gern bei Nacht und Tag,
bin rot, und Hühner sind mein Schlag.
Man sagt, ich sei besonders schlau,
und wohn' im Wald in einem Bau.
In Märchen oft ein Schelm genannt,
wer bin ich, ist dir das bekannt?

Translation:

I like to sneak by night and day,
I'm red, and chickens are my prey.
They say I am especially sly,
And in the forest, my den does lie.
In fairy tales, a rogue oft named,
Who am I, is this now proclaimed?

Solution: der Fuchs (the fox)

💡 Other Information

• Etymology: The word "Fuchs" comes from the Old High German "fuhs" and is related to the English "fox". The roots likely refer to the bushy tail shape or the color.
• Idiom "fuchsteufelswild": This intensification of "wild" (angry) is interesting. The devil (*Teufel*) was considered the epitome of evil, and the fox (*Fuchs*) as cunning and unpredictable. The combination enhances the wildness and uncontrollability of the anger.
• Cultural Significance: In many cultures, the fox symbolizes cunning, adaptability, but sometimes also deception. In Japan (Kitsune), it even has magical abilities.
• Fox in Music: The German children's song "Fuchs, du hast die Gans gestohlen" (Fox, you stole the goose) is very famous.