hippopotamus
das Nilpferd, die Nilpferde
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hippopotamus
A large, heavy mammal that lives mainly in water, with a short, thick body and large teeth; also called 'Flusspferd' (hippopotamus) in German.
Das Nilpferd lag den ganzen Nachmittag im seichten Wasser.
The hippopotamus lay in the shallow water all afternoon.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Nilpferde |
| genitive | des Nilpferdes |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Nilpferd | die Nilpferde |
| accusative | das Nilpferd | die Nilpferde |
| dative | dem Nilpferd | den Nilpferden |
| genitive | des Nilpferdes des Nilpferds | der Nilpferde |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Nilpferd' (hippopotamus) consists of 'Nil' (Nile) and 'Pferd' (horse). The first component is the name of a river in Africa; despite the component 'Pferd' (horse), the animal does not belong to the horse family.
Das Nilpferd lag am Ufer und öffnete sein Maul weit.
The hippopotamus lay on the bank and opened its mouth wide.
The phrase 'eine Herde Nilpferde' (a herd of hippopotamuses) is commonly used for a group of these animals. After 'Herde' (herd), the animal name can appear directly in the plural.
Am Ufer entdeckten wir eine Herde Nilpferde.
On the bank, we spotted a herd of hippopotamuses.
