01
das Eichhörnchen
squirrel
A small rodent that lives in trees, has a bushy tail, and feeds mainly on nuts and seeds.
example
Ein flinkes Eichhörnchen kletterte den Baumstamm hinauf.
A nimble squirrel climbed up the tree trunk.
das Eichhörnchen
squirrel
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Meanings
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is made up of 'Eich-' (from 'Eiche', the oak tree) and 'Hörnchen' (little horn/croissant-shaped thing). So it describes a small animal that is often found in oak trees.
EXAMPLE
Das Eichhörnchen sprang von einem Ast der alten Eiche.
The squirrel jumped from a branch of the old oak.
Diminutive form '-chen'
The ending '-chen' is a diminutive form. Words with this ending are always neuter (they take the article 'das') and describe something small or cute.
EXAMPLE
Im Park saß ein kleines Eichhörnchen und aß eine Nuss.
A small squirrel sat in the park and ate a nut.
Typical verbs
Typical verbs that describe the movements of a squirrel are 'klettern' (to climb), 'springen' (to jump), 'huschen' (to scurry), or 'flitzen' (to dart). A typical activity is 'Nüsse sammeln' (to collect nuts) or 'Nüsse verstecken' (to hide nuts).
EXAMPLE
Wir sahen ein Eichhörnchen, das flink den Baumstamm hinaufhuschte.
We saw a squirrel that quickly scurried up the tree trunk.
Compare with
Eichhörnchen vs Eichhorn
squirrel
'das Eichhörnchen' and 'das Eichhorn' mean the same animal: a small rodent that often lives in trees and has a bushy tail. In everyday language, people usually say 'Eichhörnchen'. 'Eichhorn' is also correct, but it is somewhat less common and can sound a bit more elevated or old-fashioned in some texts. If you are talking about the animal in a park or garden, 'Eichhörnchen' is usually the more natural choice.
Eichhörnchen
Mein Vater sieht am Morgen ein Eichhörnchen im Garten.
My father sees a squirrel in the garden in the morning.
Eichhorn
Auf dem alten Bild sitzt ein Eichhorn auf einem Ast.
In the old picture, a squirrel is sitting on a branch.
In real life
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