01
die Henne
hen
A female chicken.
example
Die Henne hat heute Morgen ein Ei gelegt.
The hen laid an egg this morning.
die Henne
hen
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Fixed expression
The question 'Was war zuerst da, die Henne oder das Ei?' (Which came first, the hen or the egg?) is a well-known saying. It is used to describe a problem where cause and effect cannot be clearly separated.
EXAMPLE
Bei der Diskussion über Arbeitslosigkeit und Wirtschaftskrise ist es wie mit der Henne und dem Ei.
In the discussion about unemployment and the economic crisis, it's like the hen and the egg.
Typical verbs
In connection with a female chicken, 'Henne' (hen) is often used with the verbs 'Eier legen' (to lay eggs), 'brüten' (to brood/sit on eggs), and 'gackern' (to cluck, make the typical sound).
EXAMPLE
Unsere Hennen legen jeden Tag frische Eier.
Our hens lay fresh eggs every day.
Context clue
When 'Henne' (female bird) refers to the female animal of another bird species, the species is usually named directly before it. It often forms a compound word such as 'Fasanenhenne' (pheasant hen) or 'Truthuhnhenne' (turkey hen).
EXAMPLE
Im Zoo kann man eine Straußen-Henne mit ihren Küken beobachten.
At the zoo, you can watch an ostrich hen with her chicks.
Compare with
Henne vs Hahn
rooster / tap
'der Hahn' and 'die Henne' both refer to adult chickens, but they are opposites in terms of gender. A 'Hahn' is the male chicken, and a 'Henne' is the female chicken. They can be confused because both belong to the same species and are often found together on a farm. When it is about crowing or the male animal, 'Hahn' fits. When it is about laying eggs or the female animal, 'Henne' fits.
Henne
Die Henne sitzt ruhig im Nest und legt ein Ei.
The hen sits quietly in the nest and lays an egg.
Hahn
Auf dem Hof läuft ein Hahn vor den anderen Hühnern her.
In the farmyard, a rooster walks ahead of the other chickens.
In real life
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