livestock / brute
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livestock
A collective term for farm animals kept in agriculture, especially cattle, but also pigs, sheep, or goats.
Der Bauer treibt am Abend das Vieh von der Weide in den Stall.
In the evening, the farmer drives the livestock from the pasture into the barn.
'Das Vieh' (livestock) is a collective noun and is used only in the singular, even when it refers to many animals. There is no plural form 'die Viehe'.
Auf der Weide grast das Vieh.
The livestock is grazing in the pasture.
In this meaning, 'das Vieh' (brute) is a very strong and derogatory insult for people. Its use expresses extreme contempt and should be treated with great caution.
Er nannte die lauten Nachbarn „das Vieh“.
He called the noisy neighbors “the brutes.”
In an agricultural context, 'Vieh' (livestock) is often combined with certain verbs. Typical phrases are: 'Vieh halten' (to keep livestock), 'Vieh züchten' (to breed livestock), or 'das Vieh auf die Weide treiben' (to drive the livestock out to pasture).
Sein Großvater hat früher Rinder und Schweine als Vieh gehalten.
His grandfather used to keep cattle and pigs as livestock.
animal
'das Tier' and 'das Vieh' can both refer to living creatures that are not humans. 'Tier' is the general and neutral term: a dog, a bird, or an insect is a 'Tier'. 'Vieh' is used mainly for livestock in agriculture, especially cattle, sheep, or pigs. For this reason, 'Vieh' often sounds inappropriate for pets or wild animals. Both words can also be used derogatorily for people, but 'Vieh' is much more insulting and harsher in that use. They can be confused because 'Vieh' also refers to animals, but it is much narrower and often rougher than 'Tier'.
Der Bauer bringt das Vieh am Morgen auf die Weide.
The farmer takes the livestock out to the pasture in the morning.
Im Garten hat ein kleines Tier unter den Blättern gesessen.
In the garden, a small animal was sitting under the leaves.