das Ferkel
piglet
The young animal of a pig.
EXAMPLE
Die Sau hat gestern Nacht zehn gesunde Ferkel zur Welt gebracht.
The sow gave birth to ten healthy piglets last night.
das Ferkel
piglet
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Meanings
das Ferkel
little pig
A person who is very dirty or behaves indecently and unhygienically. Often used as an insult, including jokingly.
EXAMPLE
Iss nicht mit den Händen, du kleines Ferkel!
Don't eat with your hands, you little pig!
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning is almost always clear: if the word refers to an animal, it means the young animal of a pig. If it refers to a person, it is a colloquial, often joking insult for a dirty person.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Bauernhof rannten die kleinen Ferkel durcheinander.
On the farm, the little piglets were running all over the place.
Context: agriculture
When 'Ferkel' (piglet) means the animal, you will typically find the word in contexts related to agriculture, nature, or food. Words like 'Bauernhof' (farm), 'Stall' (stable), 'Sau' (sow, mother animal), or 'Züchter' (breeder) are clear signals.
EXAMPLE
Der Bauer füttert die Ferkel mit spezieller Milch.
The farmer feeds the piglets with special milk.
Register and style
As a term for a person, 'Ferkel' (little pig) is colloquial. It can be harmless teasing, especially toward children, but also a real insult for someone who behaves unhygienically or indecently.
EXAMPLE
Putz dir den Mund ab, du kleines Ferkel!
Wipe your mouth, you little pig!
Compare with
Ferkel vs Sau
sow / pig
Sau and Ferkel can refer to a dirty or indecent person. Ferkel often sounds humorous or mildly reproachful, especially when referring to a child, while Sau generally sounds much cruder and more insulting. Use Ferkel for a milder remark and Sau for a particularly harsh insult.
Ferkel
Die Mutter nannte ihren schmutzigen Sohn scherzhaft ein Ferkel.
The mother jokingly called her dirty son a little pig.
Sau
Die Mutter nannte ihren schmutzigen Sohn wütend eine Sau.
The mother angrily called her dirty son a pig.
In real life
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