01
der Fisch
fish
A vertebrate animal that lives in water, breathes through gills, and moves with fins.
example
Im Teich schwimmt ein großer, bunter Fisch.
A large, colorful fish is swimming in the pond.
der Fisch
fish
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue: animal vs. food
When 'Fisch' means the food, it is often used like an uncountable noun without an article. When talking about the animal, you usually use an article and the plural 'Fische' (fish).
EXAMPLE
Ich esse nicht gern Fisch.
I don't like eating fish.
Typical collocations (animal)
When referring to the animal, typical verbs are 'einen Fisch fangen' (to catch a fish), 'Fische angeln' (to fish for fish), or 'Fische füttern' (to feed fish). Fish 'schwimmen' (swim) in water.
EXAMPLE
Am See kann man gut Fische angeln.
You can fish well at the lake.
Typical collocations (food)
As a food, 'Fisch' is often combined with verbs of preparation: 'Fisch braten' (to fry fish), 'kochen' (to cook/boil), 'grillen' (to grill), or 'räuchern' (to smoke). Adjectives include 'frischer' (fresh) or 'gebratener' (fried) fish.
EXAMPLE
Möchtest du den Fisch lieber gebraten oder gedünstet?
Would you prefer the fish fried or steamed?
Use as a zodiac sign
When a person was born under the zodiac sign Pisces, you can say: 'Er ist Fisch' (He is a Pisces) or 'Sie ist Fisch' (She is a Pisces). This is a common short form.
EXAMPLE
Meine beste Freundin ist Fisch und sehr kreativ.
My best friend is a Pisces and very creative.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'weder Fisch noch Fleisch' (neither fish nor fowl) describes something that is unclear, undecided, or not clearly defined. It is often used for compromises or unclear concepts.
EXAMPLE
Das neue Gesetz ist weder Fisch noch Fleisch; es hilft niemandem wirklich.
The new law is neither fish nor fowl; it doesn't really help anyone.
Compare with
Fisch vs Fleisch
meat / flesh
'das Fleisch' and 'der Fisch' can both be foods from animals. In German, however, they are usually named separately. 'Fleisch' normally means meat from animals such as beef, pork, or chicken. 'Fisch' means the edible flesh of fish and often appears on menus as its own category. Learners may confuse the words because, biologically, fish are animals too. But when talking about food, people usually say: 'Fleisch oder Fisch?' (meat or fish?)
Fisch
Am Freitag bestellt Lisa im Restaurant Fisch mit Kartoffeln.
On Friday, Lisa orders fish with potatoes at the restaurant.
Fleisch
Zum Mittagessen gibt es Reis mit Fleisch und Gemüse.
For lunch, there is rice with meat and vegetables.
In real life
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