German word

Schaf

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃaːf/

Meaning

  • neuter nounsheep

Example

Ich sehe ein Schaf auf der Wiese.

I see a sheep in the meadow.

Illustration for Schaf (sheep)

More examples

Er folgt der Gruppe wie ein Schaf.

He follows the group like a sheep.

Core concept

A woolly farm animal grazing with its flock on a meadow.

Common phrases

  • ein Schaf auf der Weide

    a sheep in the pasture

  • wie ein Schaf

    like a sheep

Similar words

Lamm: A young sheep that has not yet reached adulthood.
Ziege: A horned farm animal that eats grass, leaves, and shrubs.
Herde: A group of animals of the same kind living or moving together.
Wolle: Soft, curly fiber from sheep used to make clothing and textiles.

Definition in German

Schaf ist ein domestiziertes Säugetier mit Wolle, das meist in Herden auf Wiesen grast.

Word origin

German Schaf continues Old High German scāf and Middle High German schāf, from Proto-Germanic *skēpą and cognate with English sheep.

Usage tips

  • Schaf is neuter, so the singular uses das Schaf, while the plural is Schafe rather than the unchanged English sheep.

Related words

  • Schafherdeflock of sheepnoun
  • Schäfershepherdnoun

Word lists with this word