der Greifvogel
bird of prey
A usually powerful bird with sharp claws and a curved beak that hunts other animals or feeds on carrion.
EXAMPLE
Der Adler ist ein großer Greifvogel.
The eagle is a large bird of prey.
der Greifvogel
bird of prey
der Greifvogel, die Greifvögel
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Greifvogel, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Greifvögel |
| genitive | des Greifvogels |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Greifvogel | die Greifvögel |
| accusative | den Greifvogel | die Greifvögel |
| dative | dem Greifvogel | den Greifvögeln |
| genitive | des Greifvogels | der Greifvögel |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Greifvogel' (bird of prey) consists of 'Greif-' and 'Vogel' (bird). 'Greif-' belongs to the verb 'greifen' (to grab) and helps you imagine grabbing prey with its claws.
EXAMPLE
Der Greifvogel packt die Maus mit seinen kräftigen Krallen.
The bird of prey grabs the mouse with its powerful claws.
Describing flight
To describe the flight of birds of prey, people often use 'am Himmel kreisen' (to circle in the sky) or 'über den Feldern kreisen' (to circle over the fields). After 'über' (over), the dative is used in this expression of location.
EXAMPLE
Ein Greifvogel kreist über den Feldern und sucht nach Beute.
A bird of prey circles over the fields and looks for prey.
Describing hunting
A typical collocation is 'ein Greifvogel schlägt Beute' (a bird of prey catches prey). 'Beute schlagen' (to catch prey) describes catching or killing a prey animal while hunting.
EXAMPLE
Der Greifvogel hat am Rand der Wiese Beute geschlagen.
The bird of prey caught prey at the edge of the meadow.
In real life
Loading video examples...