die
Henne
🐔 What exactly is a 'Henne'?
Die Henne primarily refers to the female domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus). It's the counterpart to the male, der Hahn (the rooster). Hens are known for laying eggs and are often kept on farms or in gardens.
In a broader sense, Henne can also be used for the female of other gallinaceous birds (e.g., Fasanhenne - pheasant hen).
Colloquially, Henne (sometimes as dumme Henne - stupid hen) can be used derogatorily for a woman, but this is not recommended ⚠️.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📝 Grammar Spotlight: Die Henne
The word Henne is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Henne |
| Genitive | der | Henne |
| Dative | der | Henne |
| Accusative | die | Henne |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hennen |
| Genitive | der | Hennen |
| Dative | den | Hennen |
| Accusative | die | Hennen |
Example Sentences
- Die Henne legt jeden Tag ein Ei. (The hen lays an egg every day.)
- Im Garten scharren mehrere Hennen. (Several hens are scratching in the garden.)
- Wir kaufen das Futter für die Hennen. (We buy the feed for the hens.)
- Das ist das Ei der glücklichsten Henne vom Hof. (That is the egg of the happiest hen on the farm.)
💡 How to use 'Henne'?
Die Henne is mainly used in the context of agriculture, animal husbandry, and food.
- Animal Husbandry: Conversations about chickens on the farm, in the garden, or as pets. "Unsere Henne Berta ist sehr zutraulich." (Our hen Berta is very tame.)
- Food: In connection with eggs or chicken meat (although here, the more general terms Huhn (chicken) or Hähnchen (broiler/roasting chicken) are often used). "Die Eier von freilaufenden Hennen schmecken besser." (Eggs from free-range hens taste better.)
- Biology: To distinguish from the male animal (Hahn). "Bei vielen Vogelarten unterscheidet sich die Henne äußerlich kaum vom Hahn." (In many bird species, the hen hardly differs externally from the rooster.)
- Idioms: There are some idioms, like "eine Glucke sein" (to be a mother hen - an overprotective hen/mother) or the outdated/derogatory "eine dumme Henne" (a stupid hen).
Distinction: Huhn is the generic term for the species (male and female). Hähnchen usually refers to young poultry for slaughter of both sexes. Küken is the chick.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Henne'
Article Mnemonic: Think of the feminine care a hen gives her chicks. Females are often caring, and die is the feminine article. Die caring Henne.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word Henne sounds very similar to the English word "hen". Just remember it's the German equivalent!
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Huhn: Often used synonymously, but technically the generic term (male/female). (Chicken)
- Glucke: A hen that is brooding or leading chicks. (Broody hen)
- Legehenne: A hen specifically kept for egg production. (Laying hen)
Potential Confusion
Be careful not to equate Henne generally with Huhn, even though it often happens in everyday language. Huhn is the neutral umbrella term.
😄 A Little Chicken Joke
Warum hat die Henne den Kaugummi verschluckt?
(Why did the hen swallow the chewing gum?)
Damit sie Klebe-Eier legen kann!
(So she could lay sticky eggs! - A pun on Klebe-Eier sounding like 'glue eggs')
📜 Poem about a Hen
Die Henne, stolz und wohlgenährt,
(The hen, proud and well-fed,)
Im Hof ihr Tagwerk gern verfährt.
(In the yard, gladly goes about her daily work.)
Sie scharrt im Sand, pickt hier ein Korn,
(She scratches in the sand, picks a grain here,)
Legt brav ein Ei, gleich heut' am Morn'.
(Lays an egg dutifully, right this morn'.)
Mit Gackern kündet sie ihr Glück,
(With clucking, she announces her happiness,)
Ein kleines, feines Hühnerstück.
(A small, fine piece of chicken-kind.)
❓ Hen Riddle
Ich trage Federn, doch flieg nicht weit,
(I wear feathers, but don't fly far,)
Bin oft auf Bauernhöfen jederzeit.
(Am often on farms at any time.)
Ich leg dir Eier ins Osternest,
(I lay eggs for you in the Easter nest,)
Und gack're fröhlich – wer bin ich, rätst?
(And cluck merrily – who am I, can you guess?)
Lösung: Die Henne
(Solution: The hen)
🧐 More about 'Hennen'
Word Composition: The word Henne is a base word. However, it can be part of compound words, such as:
- Legehenne (laying hen)
- Mas henne (fattening hen)
- Gluckhenne (broody hen)
- Suppenhenne (older hen used for soup)
Cultural Notes: The hen and the egg are symbols of fertility and new life, especially known in the context of Easter (Ostern).
Trivia: An average Legehenne lays about 280-300 eggs per year!
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Henne?
The word "Henne" is feminine, so the correct article is always die (die Henne, die Hennen).