01
der Wolf
wolf
A large, wild predator from the dog family that usually lives in packs.
example
In den deutschen Wäldern gibt es wieder einige Wolfsrudel.
There are once again some wolf packs in German forests.
der Wolf
wolf
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
The colloquial expression 'sich einen Wolf laufen' can mean two things: either that you walk or run for a very long distance, or that you have developed a skin inflammation from friction. Only the broader conversational context makes clear which meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe die ganze Stadt nach einem passenden Geschenk abgesucht und mir einen Wolf gelaufen.
I searched the whole city for a suitable present and walked endlessly.
Colloquial expression
The idiom 'sich einen Wolf ...' expresses that someone does something for an excessively long time or in vain. The person is in the dative, and the verb at the end describes the action.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann dir das noch zehnmal erklären und mir dabei einen Wolf reden, du musst es schon selbst versuchen.
I can explain it to you ten more times and talk myself hoarse doing it, but you really have to try it yourself.
Fixed expression
The 'Wolf im Schafspelz' (wolf in sheep's clothing) is a fixed expression for a person with bad intentions who presents themselves as harmless. It is often used with verbs such as 'sein' (to be) or 'sich entpuppen als' (to turn out to be).
EXAMPLE
Pass auf bei diesem Verkäufer, er ist ein Wolf im Schafspelz.
Watch out with this salesman; he's a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Cultural context
The wolf is a central figure in many German fairy tales, such as 'Rotkäppchen' (Little Red Riding Hood) or 'Der Wolf und die sieben Geißlein' (The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats). There, he is usually portrayed as evil and cunning, which has strongly shaped his image in the culture.
EXAMPLE
Kinder kennen den Wolf oft als den Bösewicht aus dem Märchen.
Children often know the wolf as the villain from fairy tales.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, the wolf is often described in connection with its social behavior. Typical expressions are 'ein einsamer Wolf' (a lone wolf) for a loner, or that wolves 'im Rudel jagen' (hunt in packs).
EXAMPLE
Er geht am liebsten allein seinen Weg, er ist ein einsamer Wolf.
He prefers to go his own way alone; he's a lone wolf.
Compare with
Wolf vs Hund
dog
'der Hund' and 'der Wolf' both refer to animals from the same animal family. Even so, they usually mean very different situations. A 'Hund' often lives with people and is a pet. A 'Wolf' is a wild predator and usually does not live together with humans. Learners may confuse the words because dogs and wolves can look similar and are biologically related. In everyday life, however, when talking about a pet, you almost always say 'Hund', not 'Wolf'.
Wolf
Im Naturpark haben die Besucher einen Wolf aus der Ferne gesehen.
In the nature park, the visitors saw a wolf from a distance.
Hund
Der Hund meiner Nachbarin wartet jeden Morgen vor der Haustür.
My neighbor's dog waits outside the front door every morning.
In real life
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