peacock
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peacock
A large bird from the pheasant family, whose male is known for its long, colorful tail feathers, which it can spread into a fan.
Im Schlosspark stolzierte ein Pfau und schlug ein Rad.
A peacock strutted through the palace park and spread its tail feathers.
The best-known action of a peacock is described with the fixed expression 'ein Rad schlagen' (to spread its tail feathers). This refers to raising and displaying the magnificent tail feathers.
Alle Besucher hofften, dass der Pfau ein Rad schlagen würde.
All the visitors hoped that the peacock would spread its tail feathers.
The peacock is often associated with vanity and pride. A very common comparison is the idiom 'stolz sein wie ein Pfau' (to be as proud as a peacock).
Nachdem er das Projekt erfolgreich präsentiert hatte, war er stolz wie ein Pfau.
After he had successfully presented the project, he was as proud as a peacock.
The word 'Pfau' (peacock) is part of many compound nouns that refer to the bird or its features. Examples include 'die Pfauenfeder' (peacock feather) or 'das Pfauenauge' (also the name of a butterfly).
Die Kinder sammelten bunte Pfauenfedern im Park.
The children collected colorful peacock feathers in the park.
turkey
'der Pfau' and 'der Truthahn' are both large birds, so they can be confused in pictures or when learning vocabulary. But in everyday life, they are not the same kind of animal. The peacock is known above all for its colorful, long tail feathers, which the male can spread into a fan. The turkey is a heavy chicken-like bird and is often kept as livestock; its meat is eaten at some holidays. When the topic is beauty and striking feathers, people usually mean 'Pfau'. When it is about a large bird on a farm or about meat, 'Truthahn' fits.
Im Park stellte der Pfau sein buntes Rad auf, und die Kinder blieben stehen.
In the park, the peacock spread his colorful tail feathers, and the children stopped to watch.
Zu Weihnachten kauft die Familie einen Truthahn für das große Essen.
For Christmas, the family buys a turkey for the big meal.