der Vogel
bird
An animal with feathers, wings, and a beak that belongs to the class of birds and can usually fly.
EXAMPLE
Im Frühling singen die Vögel schon am frühen Morgen.
In spring, the birds sing early in the morning.
der Vogel
bird
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Meanings
einen Vogel haben
to be crazy
A colloquial idiom meaning that someone is crazy or is behaving foolishly.
EXAMPLE
Du willst bei dem Sturm schwimmen gehen? Du hast wohl einen Vogel!
You want to go swimming in this storm? You must be crazy!
der Vogel
odd bird
Colloquial and often derogatory for a strange, eccentric, or foolish person.
EXAMPLE
Ihr neuer Freund ist schon ein komischer Vogel, er redet nur über Ufos.
Her new boyfriend is quite an odd bird; he only talks about UFOs.
Usage tips
Context clues
The literal meaning (animal) is the most common. You can recognize the figurative meanings from fixed structures: the expression 'einen Vogel haben' means 'verrückt sein' (to be crazy), and phrases like 'ein komischer Vogel' describe a strange person.
EXAMPLE
Er will ohne Jacke raus? Der hat doch einen Vogel!
He wants to go out without a jacket? He must be crazy!
Typical verbs
When referring to the animal, typical verbs used with 'Vogel' are 'zwitschern' (to chirp), 'singen' (to sing), 'fliegen' (to fly), and 'beobachten' (to watch/observe).
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende gehen wir im Wald Vögel beobachten.
At the weekend, we're going birdwatching in the forest.
Fixed expression
The expression 'einen Vogel haben' is a fixed idiom. It is always used in this form and is colloquial.
EXAMPLE
Für 1000 Euro ein T-Shirt kaufen? Du hast wohl einen Vogel!
Buying a T-shirt for 1000 euros? You must be crazy!
Colloquial style
Calling a person a 'Vogel' (bird) is colloquial and often meant as slightly derogatory or ironic. Usually an adjective like 'komisch' (funny/odd), 'selten' (rare), or 'schräger' (weird) is added.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, was du ihm sagst, er ist ein ganz komischer Vogel.
Be careful what you say to him; he's a really odd bird.
In real life
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