die  Ente

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɛntə/

🦆 What does "die Ente" mean?

The German word die Ente is a feminine noun with several meanings:

• Duck (Animal): The most common and primary meaning is the familiar waterfowl (family Anatidae), often found in parks or on lakes.
• Duck (Food): The meat of the duck as a dish, especially popular for festive occasions like Christmas.
• Car (Colloquial): An affectionate nickname for the iconic Citroën 2CV car. 🚗
• Hoax/Canard (Colloquial): Especially in a journalistic context, "die Ente" or more specifically "Zeitungsente" (newspaper duck) refers to a false report or a hoax. 📰

⚠️ Context is crucial to understand which meaning is intended.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar of "die Ente" in Detail

"Ente" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

Declension

Example Sentences

• Nominative Singular: Die Ente schwimmt im Teich. (The duck swims in the pond.)
• Genitive Singular: Das Gefieder der Ente glänzt. (The duck's plumage shines.)
• Dative Singular: Ich gebe der Ente Futter. (I give food to the duck.)
• Accusative Singular: Siehst du die Ente dort drüben? (Do you see the duck over there?)
• Nominative Plural: Die Enten sind laut. (The ducks are loud.)
• Genitive Plural: Das Schnattern der Enten ist weithin zu hören. (The quacking of the ducks can be heard far away.)
• Dativ Plural: Er hilft den Enten aus dem Eis. (He helps the ducks out of the ice.)
• Accusative Plural: Wir beobachten die Enten am Ufer. (We watch the ducks on the shore.)

🗣️ How to use "die Ente"?

Context is Everything!

• Animals & Nature: When talking about biology, animals in the park, or on a farm, it refers to the bird. Example: Im Herbst ziehen die Enten nach Süden. (In autumn, the ducks migrate south.)
• Kitchen & Food: In a restaurant or when cooking, "Ente" refers to the dish. Example: Ich bestelle die knusprige Ente mit Rotkohl. (I'll order the crispy duck with red cabbage.)
• Cars & Vintage Cars: Among car enthusiasts or in conversations about old cars, "Ente" means the Citroën 2CV. Example: Die Ente war damals ein günstiges und praktisches Auto. (The 2CV was an affordable and practical car back then.)
• Media & News: When discussing the credibility of information, a "Ente" might appear. Example: Die Meldung über den Lottogewinn war leider eine Ente. (The news about the lottery win was unfortunately a hoax.)

Confusion is rare as the context is usually clear. "Zeitungsente" is more specific for false reports than just "Ente".

💡 Mnemonics for "die Ente"

Article Mnemonic: Think of the typical mother duck leading her ducklings – she is female: die Mutterente, therefore die Ente.

Meaning Mnemonic (Animal vs. Car vs. Hoax): A duck (Ente) quacks loudly, an old car (Ente) might squeak loudly, and a false report (Ente) causes a loud outcry – they all make some kind of "noise".

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but Different Words

Be careful not to confuse "Ente" with "Ende" (das Ende, the end), although they sound similar.

😂 A Little Joke

Treffen sich zwei Enten. Sagt die eine: "Ich kann nicht mehr laufen!" Fragt die andere: "Wieso denn?" Antwortet die erste: "Ich habe mir den Fuß verstaucht!" Sagt die zweite: "Dann geh doch zum Enten-Orthopäden!"

Translation:
Two ducks meet. One says: "I can't walk anymore!" The other asks: "Why not?" The first replies: "I've sprained my foot!" The second says: "Then go see the duck-orthopedist!" (Wordplay on 'orthopedist')

✒️ Poem about the Duck

Die Ente

Am Teich, so grün und klar,
Schwimmt eine Entenschar.
Die Ente, stolz und fein,
Zieht ihre Kreise allein.

Sie taucht nach Futter klein,
Lässt sich vom Wasser schaukeln ein.
Ihr Quaken klingt durchs Land,
Ein Bild, uns wohlbekannt.

Translation:

The Duck

By the pond, so green and clear,
Swims a flock of ducks, so dear.
The duck, proud and fine,
Draws its circles, all alone.

It dives for little food,
Lets the water rock its mood.
Its quacking sounds through the land,
A picture, familiar to our hand.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe Federn, doch fliege nicht weit,
Man isst mich gern zur Weihnachtszeit.
Ich quak im Teich, mal laut, mal leise,
Und bin ein Vogel auf meine Weise.

Manchmal bin ich auch aus Blech gemacht,
Ein altes Auto, das oft lacht.

Was bin ich?

Translation:

I have feathers, but don't fly far,
People like to eat me at Christmas time, near and far.
I quack in the pond, sometimes loud, sometimes low,
And I'm a bird in my own way, you know.

Sometimes I'm also made of tin,
An old car that often grins.

What am I?

Solution: die Ente (the duck / the 2CV)

🤓 Other Information & Trivia

• Word Origin (Hoax): The term "Zeitungsente" (newspaper duck) for a hoax possibly comes from the French "canard" (duck), which can also mean "false news". Another theory suggests it originates from the abbreviation "N.T." (non testatum = not verified), which was pronounced similarly to "Ente".
• Cultural Significance: Ducks play a role in many cultures, often in children's stories (e.g., "The Ugly Duckling" - "Das hässliche Entlein").
• The 2CV Car: The Citroën 2CV was produced from 1949 to 1990 and achieved cult status. Its nickname "Ente" (duck) is widespread in Germany.