catfish / Welsh
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catfish
A large freshwater fish native to Europe, with characteristic barbels around its mouth, also called a wels catfish.
Der Angler hat einen riesigen Wels aus dem See gezogen.
The angler pulled a huge catfish out of the lake.
The two meanings are clearly separated by context. If people are talking about fish, fishing, or bodies of water, the fish is meant. In historical or linguistic texts, the outdated ethnic designation may occur.
Im See leben viele Fische, darunter auch große Welse.
Many fish live in the lake, including large catfish.
When referring to the fish, 'Wels' (catfish) is often combined with verbs like 'fangen' (to catch), 'angeln' (to fish for), or 'ziehen' (to pull). Since these fish can grow very large, you often hear the combination 'ein riesiger Wels' (a huge catfish).
Dem Angler gelang es, einen zwei Meter langen Wels aus dem Fluss zu ziehen.
The angler managed to pull a two-meter-long catfish out of the river.
The term 'Wels' for Celts or Romance peoples is outdated today and is only used in historical contexts. You should not use it for modern French people or Italians.
In alten Chroniken werden die Nachbarvölker oft als „Welschen“ bezeichnet.
In old chronicles, the neighboring peoples are often referred to as 'Welschen'.
pike
'der Wels' and 'der Hecht' are both freshwater fish, so they can easily be confused. Both live in rivers or lakes and can grow large. However, a Wels has typical barbels around its mouth and often looks broad and heavy. A Hecht is a predatory fish with a long body and a large mouth. When talking about the fish with barbels, you say 'Wels'. For the long, fast predatory fish, 'Hecht' is the right word.
Am Ufer zeigt der Angler den Kindern einen großen Wels mit langen Bartfäden.
On the bank, the angler shows the children a large catfish with long barbels.
Im klaren See schwimmt ein Hecht langsam zwischen den Pflanzen.
In the clear lake, a pike swims slowly among the plants.