die Krähe
crow
A usually black bird from the crow family.
EXAMPLE
Die Krähe saß auf dem Dach und beobachtete den Garten.
The crow sat on the roof and watched the garden.
die Krähe
crow
die Krähe, die Krähen
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Meanings
die Krähe
crow
A derogatory term for an older woman or a woman perceived as unpleasant.
EXAMPLE
Diese alte Krähe beschwert sich schon wieder über den Lärm.
That old crow is complaining about the noise again.
Eine Krähe hackt der anderen kein Auge aus.
One crow won't peck out another crow's eye
Idiom: People from the same group protect or go easy on one another, even when one of them has done something wrong.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Politiker beschuldigen sich öffentlich nicht, denn eine Krähe hackt der anderen kein Auge aus.
The two politicians do not accuse each other publicly because one crow won't peck out another crow's eye.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Krähe, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Krähen |
| genitive | der Krähe |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Krähe | die Krähen |
| accusative | die Krähe | die Krähen |
| dative | der Krähe | den Krähen |
| genitive | der Krähe | der Krähen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
The verbs 'sitzen' (to sit), 'fliegen' (to fly), and 'krächzen' (to caw) are often used with 'Krähe' (crow). A crow is frequently described in connection with roofs, trees, or fields.
EXAMPLE
Eine Krähe krächzte laut auf dem alten Schornstein.
A crow cawed loudly on the old chimney.
Derogatory usage
In this meaning, 'Krähe' (crow) is usually used together with words such as 'alte' (old) or 'diese' (this) as a direct term for a woman. The expression sounds insulting and belongs to strongly derogatory language.
EXAMPLE
Der Mann nannte die Nachbarin eine alte Krähe und beleidigte sie damit.
The man called the neighbor an old crow, thereby insulting her.
Fixed idiom
The idiom 'Eine Krähe hackt der anderen kein Auge aus' (one crow won't peck out another crow's eye) is often used when members of the same group protect one another despite misconduct. It can stand as an independent sentence or follow an explanation.
EXAMPLE
Niemand aus dem Vorstand wollte den Betrug aufklären: Eine Krähe hackt der anderen kein Auge aus.
No one on the board wanted to investigate the fraud: One crow won't peck out another crow's eye.
In real life
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