01
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
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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.
Compare with
Vogel vs verrückt
crazy
'der Vogel' and 'verrückt' can both express in colloquial language that someone is behaving strangely or unreasonably. However, this applies only to special uses of 'Vogel', not to the animal. In the idiom 'einen Vogel haben' (to be crazy), it means roughly 'to be crazy'. As a person, 'ein komischer Vogel' (an odd bird) can also mean a strange person. 'Verrückt' is an adjective and applies more directly to people, ideas, or behavior. 'Vogel' often sounds more casual, mocking, or derogatory and is mostly used in fixed expressions.
Vogel
Du hast doch einen Vogel, wenn du bei diesem Sturm schwimmen gehst.
You must be crazy if you go swimming in this storm.
verrückt
Am Abend war das Team völlig verrückt vor Freude.
In the evening, the team was completely crazy with joy.
In real life
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