01
das Horn
horn
A hard, pointed growth on the head of certain animals such as cattle, goats, or rhinoceroses, used for defense or fighting.
example
Der Stier senkte seine Hörner zum Angriff.
The bull lowered its horns to attack.
das Horn
horn
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Meaning in context
The meaning of 'Horn' (horn) is almost always clear from the context. Pay attention to the topic: animals (bull, rhinoceros), music (orchestra, instrument), traffic (car, honk), or food (bakery, pastry).
EXAMPLE
Das Orchesterstück beginnt mit einem Solo für das Horn.
The orchestral piece begins with a solo for the horn.
Often plural
When referring to the growth on animals' heads, the plural form 'Hörner' (horns) is often used, since many of these animals have two of them. The singular 'Horn' (horn) is typical for animals such as the rhinoceros.
EXAMPLE
Die Hörner eines Widders können sehr imposant sein.
The horns of a ram can be very impressive.
Colloquial style
The term 'Horn' (horn) for a car horn is colloquial. You hear it in spoken German, but it is used less often in more formal contexts.
EXAMPLE
Als der Radfahrer die Straße überquerte, drückte ein Autofahrer aufs Horn.
When the cyclist crossed the street, a driver pressed the horn.
Part of compounds
As a pastry, 'Horn' (horn) is usually part of a compound noun that describes the filling. Typical examples are 'Nusshorn' (nut horn), 'Mohnhorn' (poppy-seed horn), or 'Marzipanhorn' (marzipan horn).
EXAMPLE
Zum Frühstück esse ich am liebsten ein warmes Schokohorn.
For breakfast, my favorite thing to eat is a warm chocolate horn.
Fixed expression
The idiom `ins gleiche Horn stoßen` (to say the same thing / to blow the same horn) is a fixed unit. It means that someone expresses the same opinion as another person and thereby supports it.
EXAMPLE
Viele Experten stießen ins gleiche Horn und warnten vor den wirtschaftlichen Folgen.
Many experts said the same thing and warned of the economic consequences.
Reflexive dative expression
The idiom `sich die Hörner abstoßen` (to sow one's wild oats) is reflexive. The person going through this phase of maturing is in the dative: `sich (dative) die Hörner abstoßen`.
EXAMPLE
In seiner Jugend hat er sich ordentlich die Hörner abgestoßen.
In his youth, he really sowed his wild oats.
Compare with
Horn vs Trompete
trumpet
'das Horn' and 'die Trompete' can both be brass instruments. That makes them easy to confuse, especially if you only know that both are played in an orchestra. But they are different instruments. The horn has a long, coiled tube and often sounds soft and full. The trumpet is usually built straighter and has a brighter, clearer sound. Also important: 'Horn' has other meanings too, for example on an animal or on a car. In this comparison, 'Trompete' means only the musical instrument. So in an orchestra, you say exactly 'Horn' or 'Trompete', depending on which instrument is meant.
Horn
Im Konzert spielte das Horn eine ruhige Melodie am Anfang.
In the concert, the horn played a calm melody at the beginning.
Trompete
Bei der Jazzprobe übernahm die Trompete das schnelle Solo.
At the jazz rehearsal, the trumpet took the fast solo.
In real life
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