ferret
das Frettchen, die Frettchen
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ferret
A small predator from the marten family, usually kept as a pet; it is the domesticated form of the polecat and was formerly also used for hunting rabbits.
Das Frettchen versteckt sich gern in engen Höhlen.
The ferret likes to hide in narrow burrows.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Frettchen |
| genitive | des Frettchens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Frettchen | die Frettchen |
| accusative | das Frettchen | die Frettchen |
| dative | dem Frettchen | den Frettchen |
| genitive | des Frettchens | der Frettchen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Frettchen' contains the diminutive suffix '-chen'. This structure fits the fact that it refers to a small animal; words ending in '-chen' are always neuter in German.
Unser Frettchen schläft am Nachmittag in seiner Hängematte.
Our ferret sleeps in its hammock in the afternoon.
The verbs most commonly used with 'Frettchen' are related to keeping animals: 'ein Frettchen halten' (to keep a ferret), 'ein Frettchen füttern' (to feed a ferret), 'ein Frettchen artgerecht halten' (to keep a ferret in accordance with its needs), or 'Frettchen züchten' (to breed ferrets).
Die Familie hält zwei Frettchen und füttert sie mit speziellem Tierfutter.
The family keeps two ferrets and feeds them special pet food.
The meaning can often be recognized from words related to keeping pets or veterinary medicine, such as 'Gehege' (enclosure), 'Futter' (food), 'Tierarzt' (vet), and 'kastrieren' (to neuter). In historical texts, expressions such as 'Kaninchenjagd' (rabbit hunting) or 'zur Jagd einsetzen' (to use for hunting) point to its former use.
Vor dem Kauf eines Frettchens informierte sich die Familie über Gehege, Futter und Tierarztkosten.
Before buying a ferret, the family found out about enclosures, food, and veterinary costs.
