German Conversation · Level 142
30 words
German word
Bulle
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈbʊlə/
Meaning
- masculine nounbull
Example
Der Bulle ist stark.
The bull is strong.
More examples
Auf der Weide stand ein Bulle und bewachte die Herde.
A bull stood in the pasture and guarded the herd.
Core concept
A broad, forceful presence that can appear in a cattle pen or in a rough description of a policeman.
Common phrases
ein Bulle auf der Weide
a bull in the pasture
Zuchtbulle
breeding bull
ein wilder Bulle
a wild bull
Similar words
Polizist: A police officer responsible for public safety and law enforcement.
Stier: An uncastrated male bovine used for breeding or bullfighting.
Rind: Cattle kept as livestock for meat, milk, or other agricultural purposes.
Definition in German
1. Männliches Rind 2. Umgangssprachlich: Polizist
Word origin
Bulle comes from Middle High German bulle, meaning a bull; German later extended it to a slang term for a police officer, but the exact path of that extension is uncertain.
Usage tips
- 'Bulle' is masculine, with the plural 'Bullen', and its police sense is colloquial and can sound derogatory, so 'Polizist' is safer in neutral speech.
Other meanings
- copnoun
Opposites
- Kuhcownoun
Related words
- Zuchtbullebreeding bullnoun
- Bullenhaltungbull husbandrynoun