goat
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goat
A domesticated mammal that belongs to the goat genus and is often kept as a farm animal for milk and meat.
Auf dem Bauernhof kletterten die Ziegen auf dem kleinen Felsen herum.
On the farm, the goats were climbing around on the small rock.
You can clearly recognize from context whether the animal or the insult is meant. If people are talking about a farm or animals, the animal is meant. In an argument or when describing a person, it can be the insult.
Auf der Alm haben wir viele Ziegen gesehen.
We saw many goats up on the alpine pasture.
The word 'Ziege' (goat) is often part of compound nouns that describe products from this animal. Well-known examples are 'Ziegenmilch' (goat's milk) and 'Ziegenkäse' (goat cheese).
Zum Frühstück esse ich gerne Brot mit Ziegenkäse.
For breakfast, I like to eat bread with goat cheese.
The typical sound a goat makes is called 'meckern' (to bleat). Interestingly, the verb 'meckern' is also used colloquially for people who constantly complain.
Die kleine Ziege meckerte, weil sie Hunger hatte.
The little goat bleated because it was hungry.
As a term for a woman, 'Ziege' (nasty woman) is a colloquial and derogatory insult. It describes a person who is perceived as bitchy or stubborn.
Nenn deine Schwester doch nicht immer eine blöde Ziege!
Don't always call your sister a stupid cow!
cow
'Kuh' and 'Ziege' can both be farm animals, and both can give milk. Still, they are different animals: a 'Kuh' is a female bovine, while a 'Ziege' belongs to a different species and is usually smaller. The words can be confused especially in the general topic of farms or milk. Both words can also be used derogatorily for women; this is rude and should be avoided. As an insult, 'Ziege' tends to suggest someone is bitchy or stubborn, while 'Kuh' sounds rougher and more offensive.
Die Ziege kletterte auf den kleinen Hügel neben dem Stall.
The goat climbed onto the small hill next to the stable.
Die Kuh steht ruhig auf der Wiese und frisst Gras.
The cow is standing calmly in the meadow, eating grass.