01
die Pfote
paw
The foot of certain mammals, such as dogs, cats, or bears, equipped with pads and claws.
example
Die Katze leckte sich sorgfältig ihre Pfote.
The cat carefully licked its paw.
die Pfote
paw
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Typical expressions
In connection with animals, there are fixed expressions like 'Pfötchen geben' (to give a paw, a command for a dog) or the description 'auf leisen Pfoten schleichen' (to creep on quiet paws).
EXAMPLE
Unser Hund hat gelernt, auf Kommando Pfötchen zu geben.
Our dog has learned to give a paw on command.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the subject: If people are talking about animals (dog, cat, bear), it means the animal's foot. If they are talking about a person, it colloquially means the hand.
EXAMPLE
Der Hund hat sich einen Dorn in die Pfote getreten.
The dog got a thorn stuck in its paw.
Register: Colloquial
The use of 'Pfote' (paw) for a human hand is always colloquial. Depending on the tone, it can sound joking or also rude and derogatory.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir mal deine Pfote geben? Ich will dir den Ring zeigen.
Can you give me your paw for a second? I want to show you the ring.
Fixed expression
The command 'Pfoten weg!' (paws off!) or 'Nimm deine Pfoten von ...!' (Get your paws off ...!) is a fixed and very common expression. It means that someone should not touch something.
EXAMPLE
Pfoten weg von meiner Schokolade!
Paws off my chocolate!
Compare with
Pfote vs Hand
hand
'die Hand' and 'die Pfote' can both refer to a body part used for grasping or stepping. 'Hand' is the normal word for humans. 'Pfote' is actually used for animals such as dogs or cats. For the human hand, 'Pfote' can only be colloquial, often joking or somewhat rough. Learners may confuse the words because an animal's paw has a similar function to a human hand. In normal conversation about people, however, you almost always say 'Hand'.
Pfote
Der Hund legt seine Pfote auf mein Knie.
The dog puts its paw on my knee.
Hand
Nach dem Sturz tat ihm die rechte Hand weh.
After the fall, his right hand hurt.
In real life
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