das Schaf
sheep
A mammal kept as livestock for its wool, milk, and meat.
EXAMPLE
Auf der Weide grast eine Herde Schafe.
A flock of sheep is grazing in the pasture.
das Schaf
sheep
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
das Schaf
sheep
A person considered naive, weak-willed, or easily influenced, who often follows others uncritically.
EXAMPLE
Sei kein Schaf und hinterfrage die Anweisungen, anstatt einfach nur zu gehorchen.
Don't be a sheep; question the instructions instead of simply obeying.
das schwarze Schaf
black sheep
A person who is considered an outsider in a group or family, or who stands out negatively.
EXAMPLE
Er war schon immer das schwarze Schaf der Familie.
He had always been the black sheep of the family.
Usage tips
Context clue
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'Schaf' (sheep) from context. If it is about animals or agriculture, it means the animal. In discussions about human behavior, it often means a naive person. The expression 'das schwarze Schaf' (the black sheep) is a fixed idiom for an outsider.
EXAMPLE
Die Schafe müssen vor dem Winter geschoren werden.
The sheep have to be sheared before winter.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'das schwarze Schaf' (the black sheep) is a fixed unit. It usually describes an outsider in a group, typically 'das schwarze Schaf der Familie' (the black sheep of the family).
EXAMPLE
Weil er als einziger Künstler wurde, war er lange das schwarze Schaf der Familie.
Because he was the only one who became an artist, he was long considered the black sheep of the family.
Metaphorical meaning
When a person is called a 'Schaf' (sheep), it is usually meant negatively. It criticizes the person for being uncritical and following others without thinking for themselves.
EXAMPLE
Der Redner forderte das Publikum auf: „Seid keine Schafe, bildet euch eure eigene Meinung!“
The speaker urged the audience: 'Don't be sheep; form your own opinion!'
Typical collocations
In connection with the animal, the verbs 'hüten' (to herd / watch over) and 'scheren' (to shear / cut wool) are often used. A group of sheep is called 'eine Herde' (a flock).
EXAMPLE
Der Hirte hütet seine Herde auf den Bergwiesen.
The shepherd herds his flock in the mountain meadows.
Compare with
Schaf vs Lamm
lamb
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.
Schaf
Auf der Weide steht ein erwachsenes Schaf bei der Herde.
An adult sheep is standing with the flock in the pasture.
Lamm
Auf der Weide steht ein junges Lamm bei der Herde.
A young lamb is standing with the flock in the pasture.
In real life
Loading video examples...