der Ochs
ox
A castrated male bovine that was formerly used mainly as a draft animal in agriculture.
EXAMPLE
Früher zogen zwei Ochsen den schweren Pflug über das Feld.
In the past, two oxen pulled the heavy plow across the field.
der Ochs
ox
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Meanings
der Ochs
blockhead
A colloquial, derogatory term for a stupid, clumsy, or slow-witted person.
EXAMPLE
Steh nicht da wie der Ochs vorm Berg und hilf mir endlich!
Don't just stand there like a blockhead and finally help me!
Usage tips
Special declension
The noun 'Ochs' (ox) belongs to the n-declension. This means it takes the ending '-en' in all cases except the nominative singular.
EXAMPLE
Der Bauer spannt den Ochsen vor den Pflug.
The farmer hitches the ox to the plow.
Fixed expression
The expression 'dastehen wie der Ochs vorm Berg' (to stand there like an ox in front of a mountain) is very common. It means that someone is at a loss and does not understand or cannot solve a problem.
EXAMPLE
Als ich die Anleitung auf Schwedisch sah, stand ich da wie der Ochs vorm Berg.
When I saw the instructions in Swedish, I just stood there completely at a loss.
Colloquial usage
As an insult for a person, 'Ochs' (blockhead) is very colloquial and direct. It expresses that you consider someone stupid or clumsy.
EXAMPLE
Du Ochs, du hast mir den ganzen Kaffee über die Hose geschüttet!
You blockhead, you spilled all my coffee over my pants!
In real life
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