01
die Eule
owl
A nocturnal bird of prey with large, forward-facing eyes and a distinctive call.
example
Nachts kann man im Wald manchmal den Ruf einer Eule hören.
At night, you can sometimes hear the call of an owl in the forest.
die Eule
owl
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Cultural symbol
In German culture, as in many others, the owl is considered a symbol of wisdom and learning. You often find it in the logos of bookstores or universities.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Eule im Märchen gibt dem Helden immer einen klugen Rat.
The old owl in the fairy tale always gives the hero wise advice.
Figurative use
A person who likes to stay up late and is active at night is colloquially called a 'Nachteule' (night owl). This comes from the bird's nocturnal behavior.
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder ist eine richtige Nachteule und geht selten vor zwei Uhr morgens ins Bett.
My brother is a real night owl and rarely goes to bed before two in the morning.
Fixed idiom
The expression 'Eulen nach Athen tragen' (to carry owls to Athens) is a fixed idiom. It is used to describe an action as pointless or unnecessary.
EXAMPLE
Dem Bäcker Brot zu schenken, hieße Eulen nach Athen tragen.
Giving bread to the baker would be like carrying coals to Newcastle.
Compare with
Eule vs Uhu
eagle-owl
'die Eule' and 'der Uhu' both refer to nocturnal birds of prey. 'Eule' is the more general term for many different species. 'Uhu' is a specific kind of owl, namely a very large owl with distinctive feathered ear tufts. Learners may confuse the words because every 'Uhu' is an 'Eule'. But not every 'Eule' is a 'Uhu'. If the exact species does not matter, people usually say 'Eule'. If you mean the large species, 'Uhu' is more precise.
Eule
Im Wald haben wir in der Dämmerung eine Eule gehört.
In the forest, we heard an owl at dusk.
Uhu
Der Uhu saß ruhig auf dem Felsen und rief tief in die Nacht.
The eagle-owl sat quietly on the rock and called deep into the night.
In real life
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