German word

Fauna

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfaʊ̯na/

Meaning

  • feminine nounanimal life

Example

Die Fauna auf der Insel ist einzigartig.

The animal life on the island is unique.

Illustration for Fauna (animal life)

More examples

In diesem Park werden die Fauna und die Flora gezielt erforscht.

In this park, the animal life and plant life are being specifically studied.

Core concept

A place's animal community as part of its distinctive natural character.

Common phrases

  • die Fauna und die Flora

    animal life and plant life

  • typische Fauna

    typical animal life

  • regionale Fauna

    regional animal life

Similar words

Tiere: A common everyday term for individual animals or animals as a whole.
Tierwelt: The animal life collectively found in a particular region or environment.
Wildtiere: Animals living in natural surroundings without human management.

Definition in German

Bezeichnung für die Tierwelt einer bestimmten Landschaft, eines Ökosystems oder einer geografischen Region.

Word origin

Fauna comes through scientific Latin from the name Fauna, a Roman nature goddess linked with Faunus.

Usage tips

  • Fauna normally takes singular agreement in German, as in Die Fauna ist einzigartig, even though it denotes many animals.

Other meanings

  • animal populationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Faunistikfaunisticsnoun
  • faunistischfaunisticadjective
  • Faunistfaunistnoun

Word lists with this word