der Hase
hare
A mammal with long ears and strong hind legs that can run fast and is related to the rabbit.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Feld saß ein großer Hase und putzte sich die Ohren.
A large hare was sitting in the field, cleaning its ears.
der Hase
hare / bunny
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Meanings
wissen, wie der Hase läuft
to know the ropes
An idiom meaning that you know about a situation, understand how things work, or know how to achieve something.
EXAMPLE
Mach dir keine Sorgen, ich arbeite schon lange hier und weiß, wie der Hase läuft.
Don't worry, I've worked here for a long time and know the ropes.
der Hase
bunny / sweetheart
An informal, affectionate pet name for a person, similar to 'sweetheart'.
EXAMPLE
Komm, mein Hase, das Essen ist fertig.
Come on, my bunny, dinner is ready.
Usage tips
Fixed expression
The idiom 'wissen, wie der Hase läuft' is a fixed unit. It means that you understand a situation or know the usual procedures. The 'Hase' (hare) is not meant literally here.
EXAMPLE
Frag den neuen Kollegen nicht, er weiß noch nicht, wie der Hase hier läuft.
Don't ask the new colleague; he doesn't know how things work here yet.
Register and style
As a pet name, 'Hase' (bunny/sweetheart) is very informal and is used only for people close to you, such as a partner or a child. It is often combined with a possessive pronoun like 'mein' (my).
EXAMPLE
Mein Hase, könntest du mir bitte helfen?
My sweetheart, could you please help me?
Cultural context
The 'Osterhase' (Easter Bunny) is a central figure in German Easter tradition. According to legend, he paints the eggs and hides them in the garden for the children.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder können es kaum erwarten, dass der Osterhase kommt.
The children can hardly wait for the Easter Bunny to come.
Another idiom
Another common idiom is 'da liegt der Hase im Pfeffer'. It means that you have found the real reason or the actual difficulty behind a problem.
EXAMPLE
Das Geld fehlt, genau da liegt der Hase im Pfeffer!
The money is missing—that's exactly where the real problem lies!
Compare with
Hase vs Schatz
darling / treasure
Schatz and Hase can both be affectionate pet names for someone close to you. Hase often sounds more playful and personal, while Schatz is used as a more general pet name in familiar relationships. Choose Hase when the playful note is important, and Schatz for a more neutral affectionate form of address.
Hase
„Hase, kannst du bitte die Tür schließen?“, fragte sie ihren Partner mit einem spielerischen Lächeln.
“Bunny, could you please close the door?” she asked her partner with a playful smile.
Schatz
„Schatz, kannst du bitte die Tür schließen?“, fragte sie ihren Partner.
“Darling, could you please close the door?” she asked her partner.
In real life
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