die Ente
duck
A water bird with a short neck and broad beak that is often seen on ponds in parks.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder füttern die Enten am See mit altem Brot.
The children are feeding the ducks at the lake with old bread.
die Ente
duck
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Meanings
die Ente
hoax
A false report that is spread intentionally or unintentionally, often by a newspaper or another medium. Also called 'Zeitungsente' (newspaper hoax).
EXAMPLE
Die Nachricht vom Rücktritt des Ministers stellte sich später als Ente heraus.
The news of the minister's resignation later turned out to be a hoax.
die Ente
duck
The meat of a duck, prepared as a dish.
EXAMPLE
Zu Weihnachten gibt es bei uns traditionell Ente mit Rotkohl und Klößen.
At Christmas, we traditionally have duck with red cabbage and dumplings.
die Ente
2CV
The colloquial, affectionate name for the Citroën 2CV car model.
EXAMPLE
Mein Opa fährt immer noch seine alte Ente aus den 70er-Jahren.
My grandpa still drives his old 2CV from the 1970s.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning of 'Ente' (duck/hoax/2CV) is almost always clear only from context. Pay attention to whether it is about a park (animal), a newspaper (false report), a restaurant (food), or an old road (car).
EXAMPLE
Die Meldung war eine Ente, die schnell korrigiert wurde.
The report was a hoax that was quickly corrected.
Fixed expression
The meaning 'Falschmeldung' (false report) is often used in the fixed expressions 'sich als Ente herausstellen' (to turn out to be a hoax) or 'sich als Ente erweisen' (to prove to be a hoax). A common compound is also 'Zeitungsente' (newspaper hoax).
EXAMPLE
Die Nachricht über den Lottogewinn hat sich leider als Ente herausgestellt.
The news about the lottery win unfortunately turned out to be a hoax.
Context clue: food
When 'Ente' (duck) means a dish, it is often used without an article or appears in the context of cooking and eating. You order 'Ente' (duck), not 'eine Ente' (a duck).
EXAMPLE
Ich nehme heute die Ente mit Orangensoße.
I'll have the duck with orange sauce today.
Colloquial name
The term 'Ente' (duck) for the Citroën 2CV is purely colloquial and belongs to cultural knowledge. This meaning is usually recognized from context that refers to cars, driving, or classic cars.
EXAMPLE
Für den Sommerurlaub haben wir uns eine alte Ente gemietet.
We rented an old 2CV for the summer vacation.
In real life
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