German · Nature, Animals & Weather
"Rabbit" in German: Kaninchen
das Kaninchen
Note: wild hare: der Hase
Rabbit in German is das Kaninchen. Soft note: der Hase is a hare, not the pet rabbit headword. Plural is Kaninchen.
Pet shop
Das Kaninchen braucht frisches Heu.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Kaninchen
Say it
kah-NEEN-khen
/kaˈniːnçən/
kah-NEEN-khen. Stress on neen; soft chen ending. Neuter: das Kaninchen.
"Rabbit" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| das Kaninchen | the rabbit Pet/farm rabbit. | Pet/farm rabbit. |
| die Kaninchen | the rabbits Plural same form. | Plural same form. |
| der Hase | the hare Wild animal; different word. | Wild animal; different word. |
| Osterhase | Easter bunny Cultural figure uses Hase. | Cultural figure uses Hase. |
How to use Kaninchen in real life
- 1Pet shop
Das Kaninchen braucht frisches Heu.
The rabbit needs fresh hay.
Das Kaninchen.
- 2Kids visit
Darf ich das Kaninchen streicheln?
May I pet the rabbit?
Das Kaninchen object.
- 3Garden
Zwei Kaninchen sitzen im Stall.
Two rabbits are sitting in the hutch.
Kaninchen plural.
Mistakes English speakers make with Kaninchen
Incorrect: der Kaninchen
Correct: das Kaninchen
Kaninchen is neuter.
Incorrect: Mein Hase (for a pet rabbit)
Correct: Mein Kaninchen
Use Kaninchen for the pet rabbit headword.
Good to know
Germans keep pet Kaninchen in hutches and apartments. Easter branding loves Hase, which can confuse learners. Soft kids' books mix both words carefully.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Visiting a friend's pet
ChatPal
Willst du mein Kaninchen sehen?
Do you want to see my rabbit?
You
Klar. Ist das Kaninchen scheu?
Sure. Is the rabbit shy?
ChatPal
Nein. Das Kaninchen mag Karotten.
No. The rabbit likes carrots.
You
Süß. Das Kaninchen zuckt mit der Nase.
Cute. The rabbit is twitching its nose.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Rabbit" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Rabbit" in German
Kaninchen vs Hase?
Kaninchen is rabbit; Hase is hare (and Easter bunny branding).
Gender?
Neuter: das Kaninchen.
Plural?
Die Kaninchen.
How do you say pet rabbit?
Das Kaninchen / Hauskaninchen.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
