Do not mix them up
das Lamm
A Lamm is a young sheep. Schaf names the animal regardless of age.
das Schaf
sheep
/ʃaːf/- Plural
- die Schafe
Das Schaf steht gemütlich auf der Wiese. The sheep is standing comfortably in the meadow. The four cases
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| nominativ | das Schaf | die Schafe |
| akkusativ | das Schaf | die Schafe |
| dativ | dem Schaf | den Schafen |
| genitiv | des Schafes | der Schafe |
A memory tip
Many general animal names and young animals are neuter in German (das Schaf, das Lamm, das Huhn, das Pferd).
Useful expressions
ein schwarzes Schaf
Schafe hüten
Your own memory picture
A few lines will do.
What does sheep look like to you?
- der· blue
- die· red
- das· green
No drawing skills needed.
The word in real life
When Germans say “Schaf”
In a meadow, Schaf usually means one animal; a group is called a Herde.
A tiny dialogue
Mia: Warum steht das Schaf allein?Why is the sheep standing alone?
Benni: Die Herde ist schon hinter dem Hügel.The flock is already behind the hill.