01
das Fohlen
foal
A young horse that is not yet one year old.
example
Auf der Weide tollte ein neugieriges Fohlen neben seiner Mutter.
A curious foal was frolicking in the pasture next to its mother.
das Fohlen
foal
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Meanings
Usage tips
Specific animal name
In German, there are often specific words for the young of animals. 'Fohlen' (foal) is the specific word for a young horse, just as 'Kalb' (calf) is used for a young cow or 'Welpe' (puppy) for a young dog.
EXAMPLE
Jedes Tier hat einen eigenen Namen für sein Junges; beim Pferd ist es das Fohlen.
Each animal has its own name for its young; for a horse, it is the foal.
Typical verbs
Common verbs used in connection with a foal describe its birth and behavior. Typical phrases are 'geboren werden' (to be born), 'auf der Weide grasen' (to graze in the pasture), or 'neben der Mutterstute laufen' (to run beside the mother mare).
EXAMPLE
Gestern wurde auf dem Hof ein gesundes Fohlen geboren.
A healthy foal was born on the farm yesterday.
Context: agriculture & nature
The word 'Fohlen' (foal) is used almost exclusively in contexts having to do with horses, farms, breeding, or life in nature.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder waren begeistert, die Fohlen auf dem Reiterhof zu sehen.
The children were excited to see the foals at the riding stable.
Compare with
Fohlen vs Pferd
horse
'das Pferd' and 'das Fohlen' both refer to an animal of the same species. 'Pferd' is the general word and can also refer to an adult animal. 'Fohlen' means only a very young horse, especially in its first year of life. The words can be confused because a foal is, of course, also a horse. But if you want to emphasize the young age, 'Fohlen' is more precise.
Fohlen
Das Fohlen blieb dicht bei seiner Mutter auf der Weide.
The foal stayed close to its mother in the pasture.
Pferd
Meine Schwester reitet jeden Samstag auf einem ruhigen Pferd.
My sister rides a calm horse every Saturday.
In real life
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