die Tatze
paw
The broad paw of an animal, especially a predator, usually with visible claws.
EXAMPLE
Der Tiger legte seine Tatze auf den Boden.
The tiger placed its paw on the ground.
die Tatze
paw
die Tatze, die Tatzen
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Meanings
die Tatze
hand
Colloquial: a human hand.
EXAMPLE
Nimm deine Tatzen von meinem Kuchen!
Take your hands off my cake!
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Tatze, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Tatzen |
| genitive | der Tatze |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Tatze | die Tatzen |
| accusative | die Tatze | die Tatzen |
| dative | der Tatze | den Tatzen |
| genitive | der Tatze | der Tatzen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
With an animal, words such as „Krallen“ (claws), „Raubtier“ (predator), or „Pfote“ (paw) point to the animal-related meaning. When „Tatze“ refers to a person, it is usually used humorously or as a command, often in connection with an action such as taking or touching something.
EXAMPLE
Der Bär hob eine schwere Tatze und schnupperte an der Luft.
The bear raised a heavy paw and sniffed the air.
Lass deine Tatzen von der Fernbedienung!
Keep your hands off the remote!
Typical collocations
In the meaning referring to animals, „Tatze“ is often used with predators and their claws. Typical collocations include „eine Tatze heben“ (to raise a paw), „die Tatze auf etwas setzen“ (to place one's paw on something), and „mit den Tatzen nach etwas greifen“ (to reach for something with one's paws).
EXAMPLE
Der Löwe setzte vorsichtig eine Tatze auf den Felsen.
The lion cautiously placed one paw on the rock.
Colloquial language
The meaning referring to a human hand is colloquial and often humorous or admonishing. „Tatzen“ (hands) most commonly appears in a command telling someone to take them away from something.
EXAMPLE
Hör auf, mit deinen Tatzen auf dem Bildschirm herumzutippen!
Stop tapping all over the screen with your hands!
In real life
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