01
das Hähnchen
chicken
A young chicken eaten as poultry, or its meat.
example
Zum Mittagessen bestelle ich einen Salat mit Hähnchen.
For lunch, I'm ordering a salad with chicken.
das Hähnchen
chicken
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
'Hähnchen' is a diminutive form. It comes from 'der Hahn' (the rooster) and the ending '-chen'. Words with '-chen' are always neuter in German, so it is 'das Hähnchen'.
EXAMPLE
Ein kleines Hähnchen lief über den Bauernhof.
A little chick ran across the farmyard.
Regional variants
There are well-known regional terms for 'Hähnchen' as a dish. In Austria and Bavaria, people often say 'das Hendl'; in Switzerland, 'das Poulet' is common.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Oktoberfest habe ich ein halbes Hendl gegessen.
At Oktoberfest, I ate half a roast chicken.
Context clue
You can tell from context whether the animal or the food is meant. On menus, in recipes, or at the supermarket, 'Hähnchen' always refers to the meat.
EXAMPLE
Ich hätte gern die Nudeln mit Hähnchen und Gemüse.
I would like the pasta with chicken and vegetables.
Typical collocations
In the context of food, 'Hähnchen' is often referred to as 'Brathähnchen' (roast chicken) or 'Grillhähnchen' (grilled chicken). A very typical order at snack stands is 'ein halbes Hähnchen mit Pommes' (half a chicken with fries).
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende machen wir Grillhähnchen für die ganze Familie.
At the weekend, we're making grilled chicken for the whole family.
Compare with
Hähnchen vs Hahn
rooster / tap
'der Hahn' and 'das Hähnchen' both belong to the area of chickens, but they do not mean the same thing. 'der Hahn' is the male chicken; people often think of its crowing on a farm. 'das Hähnchen' usually means a young chicken or its meat, especially in the context of food. Learners may confuse the words because 'Hähnchen' sounds like a small form of 'Hahn'. But in everyday use, the important point is: on the farm, the rooster crows; on the plate, it is usually 'ein Hähnchen' (a chicken).
Hähnchen
In der Küche ist das Hähnchen schon fast fertig.
In the kitchen, the chicken is already almost done.
Hahn
Früh am Morgen kräht der Hahn auf dem Bauernhof.
Early in the morning, the rooster crows on the farm.
In real life
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