01
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
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 04
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.
Compare with
Ente vs Gerücht
rumor
'das Gerücht' and 'die Ente' can both have to do with false or uncertain information. A 'Gerücht' is an unconfirmed story that spreads; it may be true or false. In this sense, an 'Ente' is a hoax or false report, often in newspapers, on the internet, or in other media. The words can be confused because both are passed on and are not reliable. 'Gerücht' emphasizes uncertainty; 'Ente' emphasizes that the report is false.
Ente
Die Meldung über den Rücktritt war eine Ente.
The report about the resignation was a hoax.
Gerücht
Vor der Reise hörte Paul das Gerücht, dass der Flug ausfällt.
Before the trip, Paul heard a rumor that the flight was canceled.
In real life
Loading video examples...