die  Ziege

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtsiːɡə/

📖 What does "die Ziege" mean?

Die Ziege (noun, feminine) primarily refers to a female domestic or wild animal of the genus Capra, kept for milk, meat, and fur. It is an even-toed ungulate and a ruminant.

• Main Meaning: A female animal of the goat genus (domestic goat: Capra aegagrus hircus). Often simply translated as goat, but specifically refers to the female (nanny goat).
• Figurative Meaning (Colloquial, often derogatory): A bitchy, nagging, or stubborn female person. Sometimes used affectionately teasingly ("Du alte Ziege!" - "You old goat!").

🚨 Note: The male form is der Ziegenbock or simply der Bock (billy goat). The young animal is das Zicklein or das Geißlein (kid).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar & Declension: Die Ziege

The word "Ziege" is a feminine noun. The corresponding article is "die". Here is the declension:

Example Sentences

1. Die Ziege frisst gerne Gras auf der Weide. (The goat likes to eat grass in the pasture.)
2. Die Milch der Ziege wird zu Käse verarbeitet. (The goat's milk is processed into cheese.)
3. Der Bauer gibt der Ziege frisches Wasser. (The farmer gives the goat fresh water.)
4. Hast du die meckernde Ziege gehört? (Did you hear the bleating goat?)
5. Im Streichelzoo gibt es viele Ziegen. (There are many goats in the petting zoo.)

🗣️ How to use "die Ziege"?

• Animal Husbandry & Farming: In the context of farms, agriculture, and animal husbandry, "die Ziege" is the standard word for the female animal. Example: "Wir haben drei Ziegen und einen Ziegenbock." (We have three nanny goats and one billy goat.)
• Nature & Biology: When discussing wild goats (like die Gämse - chamois, though often called 'Gams') or biological classification.
• Products: In connection with Ziegenmilch (goat milk), Ziegenkäse (goat cheese), goat meat (often called Zicklein or Gitzi - kid), or Ziegenleder (goat leather). Example: "Ich esse gerne Ziegenkäse." (I like to eat goat cheese.)
• Colloquial (Figurative): Can be used as an insult for a woman perceived as bitchy or nagging (zickig). This is often derogatory. However, it can sometimes be used ironically or teasingly among friends. Example (derogatory): "Hör auf zu meckern, du alte Ziege!" (Stop complaining, you old goat!) Example (teasing): "Na, du Ziege, wie geht's?" (Hey, you goat, how's it going?)
• Fairy Tales & Stories: Goats often appear in fairy tales, e.g., "Der Wolf und die sieben Geißlein" (The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats - Geißlein = young goats).

Compared to "Schaf" (das Schaf - sheep), die Ziege is often associated with more stubbornness and climbing ability.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Ziege"

• Article Mnemonic: Remember that many female animals in German are feminine (die Kuh - cow, die Henne - hen, die Katze - cat...). So is die Ziege – the 'e' ending is often a clue for feminine nouns. Imagine a goat wearing chic earrings – very feminine! 🐐💎

• Meaning Mnemonic: The sound a goat makes is often described as bleating or 'meckern' in German. Someone who complains a lot is sometimes colloquially called a "Meckerziege" (complaining goat). The word "Ziege" is right in there, reminding you of the animal. Also, think of the English word 'sick' - if someone is 'sick' of someone else's behaviour, they might call them a 'Ziege' (a bit of a stretch, but links the sound 'Zie' to negativity/stubbornness).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but Different Terms

• Zicklein / Geißlein: The young goat, kid.
• Schaf (das): Sheep - another farm animal, often confused, but biologically and behaviorally different.
• Gämse (die): Chamois - a type of wild goat.

😄 A Little Goat Joke

German: Warum können Ziegen keine Geheimnisse bewahren?

Weil sie immer alles ausmeckern!

English: Why can't goats keep secrets?

Because they always bleat (spill) everything! (Pun on 'ausmeckern' which means 'to bleat' but sounds like 'ausplaudern' - to blab/spill secrets)

📜 Poem about a Goat

German:
Die Ziege kaut am Wiesenrand,
Mit Bart und Hörnern, wohlbekannt.
Sie klettert gern auf Fels und Stein,
Und liefert Milch, so frisch und fein.
Manchmal meckert sie ganz laut,
Hat ihren eigenen Kopf gebaut.
Doch auf dem Hof, das ist doch klar,
Ist die Ziege wunderbar!

English Translation:
The goat chews at the meadow's edge,
With beard and horns, a familiar pledge.
It loves to climb on rock and stone,
And gives fresh milk, finely shown.
Sometimes it bleats out very loud,
Has built its own head in the cloud (idiom: is stubborn).
But on the farm, it's surely clear,
The goat is wonderful and dear!

❓ Goat Riddle

German:
Ich habe Hörner und einen Bart,
Bin bekannt für meine eigensinnige Art.
Ich gebe Milch, die man zu Käse macht,
Und klettere geschickt bei Tag und Nacht.
Manchmal werd' ich "zickig" genannt,
Welches Tier ist dir bekannt?

Lösung: Die Ziege

English Translation:
I have horns and a beard,
Am known for my stubborn way, revered.
I give milk that's made into cheese,
And climb skillfully by day and night with ease.
Sometimes I'm called "bitchy" or "fussy",
Which animal is known to thee?

Solution: The Goat (die Ziege)

💡 More about die Ziege

• Scientific Name: The domestic goat is scientifically known as Capra aegagrus hircus.
• Origin: Goats are among the oldest domesticated animals, likely first domesticated in the Near East.
• Symbolism: In some cultures, die Ziege symbolizes fertility and vitality. In others (especially der Ziegenbock - the billy goat), it can represent lust or even the devil (cf. Baphomet). In the Chinese zodiac, the Goat is one of the twelve animal signs.
• Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen): Ziegenkäse (goat cheese), Ziegenmilch (goat milk), Ziegenbart (goatee beard), Ziegenpeter (mumps - illness), Meckerziege (complaining goat/person), Bergziege (mountain goat), Sündenbock (scapegoat - although this refers to the male goat, der Bock).