das Lamm
lamb
A young sheep, usually in its first year of life.
EXAMPLE
Auf der Weide sprang ein neugeborenes Lamm um seine Mutter herum.
A newborn lamb was jumping around its mother in the pasture.
das Lamm
lamb
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Meanings
das Lamm
lamb
The meat of a young sheep, used as food.
EXAMPLE
Zu Ostern essen wir traditionell gebratenes Lamm mit Rosmarinkartoffeln.
At Easter, we traditionally eat roast lamb with rosemary potatoes.
das Lamm
lamb
A symbol for a gentle, innocent, or defenseless person; also a religious symbol for Jesus Christ (Lamb of God).
EXAMPLE
Er ertrug die Anschuldigungen still wie ein Lamm.
He endured the accusations silently, like a lamb.
Usage tips
Context clue
'Lamm' (lamb) can refer to the living animal or to the meat as food. The context makes the difference: words such as 'Weide' (pasture) or 'Herde' (herd) refer to the animal, while verbs such as 'essen' (to eat) or 'braten' (to roast) refer to the dish.
EXAMPLE
Die Lämmer spielen auf der grünen Wiese.
The lambs are playing in the green meadow.
Cultural context
In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, lamb is a traditional Easter dish. For this reason, the word appears especially often in recipes and on menus in spring.
EXAMPLE
Bestellen wir das Lamm als Osteressen vor?
Should we order the lamb for Easter dinner in advance?
Fixed expression
The expression 'still (oder sanft) wie ein Lamm' (quiet/gentle as a lamb) describes a person who is very calm, innocent, and defenseless. The form is usually unchanged.
EXAMPLE
Obwohl er ungerecht behandelt wurde, blieb er still wie ein Lamm.
Although he was treated unfairly, he remained quiet as a lamb.
Religious symbol
The expression 'Lamm Gottes' (Lamb of God; Latin: Agnus Dei) is a central symbol in Christianity for Jesus Christ. You will find this term in churches, religious art, and music.
EXAMPLE
Im Gottesdienst sang der Chor das „Agnus Dei“, das Lied vom Lamm Gottes.
During the church service, the choir sang the 'Agnus Dei,' the song of the Lamb of God.
Compare with
Lamm vs Schaf
sheep
Schaf refers to the animal in general and says nothing specific about its age. Lamm, by contrast, explicitly refers to a young sheep, usually in its first year of life. If the age matters, Lamm is the right word; otherwise, Schaf can be used as the general term.
Lamm
Auf der Weide steht ein junges Lamm bei der Herde.
A young lamb is standing with the flock in the pasture.
Schaf
Auf der Weide steht ein erwachsenes Schaf bei der Herde.
An adult sheep is standing with the flock in the pasture.
In real life
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