German · Nature, Animals & Weather

"Bird" in German: Vogel

der Vogel

Say it: FOH-gelmasculine · der Vogelnoun/ˈfoːɡl̩/

Bird in German is der Vogel, a masculine noun. The plural is die Vögel with an umlaut. A little bird is ein Vögelchen.

In the park

Schau, der Vogel sitzt auf dem Zaun.
Look, the bird is sitting on the fence.
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How to pronounce Vogel

Say it

FOH-gel

/ˈfoːɡl̩/

FOH-gel. Long o, soft g. Plural Vögel starts with FÖ like "fur" with rounded lips.

"Bird" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
der Vogelbird

Default.

die Vögelbirds

Plural with ö.

das Vögelchenlittle bird

Diminutive.

die Vogelperspektivebird's-eye view

Figurative compound.

How to use Vogel in real life

  1. 1In the park

    Schau, der Vogel sitzt auf dem Zaun.

    Look, the bird is sitting on the fence.

    Der Vogel is nominative.

  2. 2Morning window

    Viele Vögel singen heute früh.

    Many birds are singing early today.

    Vögel is plural.

  3. 3Photo tip

    Ich fotografiere den Vogel von Weitem.

    I'm photographing the bird from afar.

    Den Vogel is accusative.

Mistakes English speakers make with Vogel

Incorrect: die Vogeln

Correct: die Vögel

Plural is Vögel with umlaut, not Vogeln.

Incorrect: das Vogel

Correct: der Vogel

Vogel is masculine: der Vogel.

Good to know

Einen Vogel haben means to be a bit crazy, literally "to have a bird." Vogelschutz signs mark protected nesting seasons.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Birdwatching walk

  1. ChatPal

    Hörst du den Vogel dort links?

    Do you hear the bird there on the left?

  2. You

    Ja. Der Vogel klingt irgendwie bekannt.

    Yes. The bird sounds somehow familiar.

  3. ChatPal

    Vielleicht ein Specht. Viele Vögel sind scheu.

    Maybe a woodpecker. Many birds are shy.

  4. You

    Ich bleibe still, sonst fliegt der Vogel weg.

    I'll stay quiet or the bird will fly away.

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"Bird" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Bird" in German

What gender is Vogel?

Masculine: der Vogel.

What is the plural?

Die Vögel.

What does einen Vogel haben mean?

To be a bit crazy (idiom).

How do you say little bird?

Das Vögelchen.

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