der Kauz
owl
A usually nocturnal bird from the owl family with a round head and large eyes.
EXAMPLE
In der Dämmerung saß der Kauz reglos auf einem Ast.
At dusk, the owl sat motionless on a branch.
der Kauz
owl / oddball
der Kauz, die Käuze
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Meanings
der Kauz
oddball
Colloquially, an unusual or somewhat eccentric person.
EXAMPLE
Unser Nachbar ist ein freundlicher Kauz, der nachts Gedichte schreibt.
Our neighbor is a friendly oddball who writes poems at night.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Kauz, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Käuze |
| genitive | des Kauzes |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Kauz | die Käuze die Kauze |
| accusative | den Kauz | die Käuze die Kauze |
| dative | dem Kauz | den Käuzen den Kauzen |
| genitive | des Kauzes | der Käuze der Kauze |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
When referring to the bird, typical expressions include „ein Kauz ruft“ (an owl calls) and „den Ruf eines Kauzes hören“ (to hear an owl's call). You will encounter the word this way especially in descriptions of sounds at night.
EXAMPLE
Durch das offene Fenster hörten wir den Ruf eines Kauzes.
Through the open window, we heard an owl's call.
Typical collocations
When referring to people, „Kauz“ (oddball) is often used together with an adjective, for example in „ein komischer Kauz“ (an odd character), „ein seltsamer Kauz“ (a strange character), or „ein liebenswerter Kauz“ (a lovable eccentric). The adjective shows how the speaker views the person.
EXAMPLE
Alle halten ihn für einen seltsamen Kauz.
Everyone considers him a strange character.
Für mich ist er ein liebenswerter Kauz.
To me, he is a lovable eccentric.
Tone and effect
When used to refer to a person, „Kauz“ (oddball) can sound affectionate, but it can also be mocking. Especially when addressing someone directly, its effect depends greatly on the tone and on the relationship between the people.
EXAMPLE
„Du bist vielleicht ein Kauz!“, sagte sie lachend zu ihrem langjährigen Freund.
“You're quite an oddball!” she said with a laugh to her longtime friend.
In real life
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