die Höhle
cave
A natural underground hollow space in rock that is large enough for a person to enter.
EXAMPLE
In der Steinzeit lebten die Menschen oft in Höhlen.
In the Stone Age, people often lived in caves.
die Höhle
cave
die Höhle, die Höhlen
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Meanings
die Höhle
den
The burrow or shelter of certain animals, especially predators such as bears or lions.
EXAMPLE
Der Bär zog sich für den Winterschlaf in seine Höhle zurück.
The bear retreated to its den for hibernation.
die Höhle
dump / cave
Colloquial and derogatory for a messy, dark, or uncomfortable room or apartment.
EXAMPLE
Du solltest dein Zimmer mal aufräumen, es sieht aus wie eine Höhle!
You should really tidy up your room; it looks like a cave!
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Höhle, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Höhlen |
| genitive | der Höhle |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Höhle | die Höhlen |
| accusative | die Höhle | die Höhlen |
| dative | der Höhle | den Höhlen |
| genitive | der Höhle | der Höhlen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'die Höhle' (cave) is related to the adjective 'hohl' (hollow). A Höhle is therefore literally a 'hollow' space, for example in a rock or underground.
EXAMPLE
Der Baumstamm war innen komplett hohl.
The tree trunk was completely hollow inside.
Typical collocations
In connection with natural caves, typical verbs are 'erforschen' (to explore), 'entdecken' (to discover), or 'sich verstecken' (to hide). A common compound is 'die Tropfsteinhöhle' (stalactite cave).
EXAMPLE
Als Kinder haben wir gerne die kleinen Höhlen im Wald erforscht.
As children, we liked exploring the small caves in the forest.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'sich in die Höhle des Löwen wagen' (to venture into the lion's den) means that someone deliberately enters a dangerous situation. It is often used figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Mit seiner Kritik am Chef hat er sich direkt in die Höhle des Löwen gewagt.
By criticizing the boss, he ventured straight into the lion's den.
Colloquial use
Using 'Höhle' (cave) for a room is purely colloquial and has a negative, derogatory meaning. It describes a messy, dark, and uncomfortable place.
EXAMPLE
Räum endlich mal auf, dein Zimmer ist eine einzige Höhle!
Finally clean up; your room is a complete cave!
Compare with
Höhle vs Bau
construction / building
Both Bau and Höhle can refer to a protected place for animals. Bau highlights the animal's dwelling, while Höhle primarily describes a natural underground hollow that can also serve as shelter. Use Bau for the animal's home and Höhle for the hollow space.
Höhle
Der Dachs versteckte sich in einer tiefen Höhle im Felsen.
The badger hid in a deep cave in the rock.
Bau
Der Dachs kehrte nach der Futtersuche in seinen Bau zurück.
The badger returned to its den after searching for food.
In real life
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