der Hund
dog
A domesticated mammal that is often kept as a pet and is known for its loyalty.
EXAMPLE
Unser Hund wartet jeden Tag an der Tür, bis wir nach Hause kommen.
Our dog waits at the door every day until we come home.
der Hund
dog
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Meanings
da liegt der Hund begraben
there's the rub
Colloquial idiom meaning: that is the real cause of the problem.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben zu wenig Personal für zu viel Arbeit – genau da liegt der Hund begraben.
We have too few staff for too much work—that's exactly where the real problem lies.
auf den Hund gekommen sein
to have gone downhill
Colloquial idiom meaning: to have fallen into a bad financial or health situation.
EXAMPLE
Seit er spielsüchtig ist, ist er finanziell wirklich auf den Hund gekommen.
Since he became addicted to gambling, he has really gone downhill financially.
vor die Hunde gehen
to go to the dogs
Colloquial idiom meaning: to fall apart, be ruined, or fail.
EXAMPLE
Wenn wir keine neuen Kunden finden, wird die Firma bald vor die Hunde gehen.
If we don't find new customers, the company will soon go to the dogs.
Usage tips
Common in compounds
The word 'Hund' (dog) is a very productive base word and forms many compound nouns. The first word often describes what has to do with the dog, for example 'Hundefutter' (dog food; food for the dog) or 'Hundeleine' (dog leash; leash for the dog).
EXAMPLE
Bitte kaufe noch eine Packung Hundefutter.
Please buy another pack of dog food.
Typical verbs
In everyday life, 'Hund' (dog) is often combined with certain verbs. Typical phrases are 'mit dem Hund Gassi gehen' (to take the dog for a walk), 'einen Hund halten' (to keep/own a dog), or the statement 'der Hund bellt' (the dog barks).
EXAMPLE
Jeden Abend muss ich mit dem Hund Gassi gehen.
Every evening I have to take the dog for a walk.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'da liegt der Hund begraben' (that's where the dog is buried) is a fixed expression. It is used as a complete sentence or subordinate clause to name the actual cause of a problem.
EXAMPLE
Das Auto startet nicht, weil die Batterie leer ist. Aha, da liegt also der Hund begraben!
The car won't start because the battery is dead. Aha, so that's where the real problem lies!
Using the expression
The idiom 'auf den Hund gekommen sein' (to have gone downhill) describes a bad state and is conjugated with the verb 'sein' (to be). It usually refers to a person's financial or health situation.
EXAMPLE
Nachdem er seine Arbeit verloren hat, ist er finanziell wirklich auf den Hund gekommen.
After he lost his job, he really went downhill financially.
Using the expression
The idiom 'vor die Hunde gehen' (to go to the dogs) describes a process of failure or decline and is conjugated with the verb 'gehen' (to go). It can refer to people, but also to things like companies or plans.
EXAMPLE
Ohne eine grundlegende Sanierung wird das alte Haus bald vor die Hunde gehen.
Without major renovation, the old house will soon go to the dogs.
Compare with
Hund vs Köter
mutt
Der Hund and der Köter both refer to a domesticated animal. Hund is the neutral term, while Köter sounds colloquial and strongly derogatory, often because of the animal's appearance or because it is perceived as annoying. Hund is appropriate in an objective situation, while Köter expresses deliberate disparagement.
Hund
Der Hund wartet ruhig vor der Bäckerei auf seine Besitzerin.
The dog waits quietly in front of the bakery for its owner.
Köter
Der Nachbar schimpfte über den Köter, der wieder in seinem Garten wühlte.
The neighbor cursed about the mutt that was digging in his garden again.
In real life
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