German word

Zoo

Pronunciation

IPA/tsoː/

Meaning

  • masculine nounzoo

Example

Wir gehen heute in den Zoo.

We're going to the zoo today.

Illustration for Zoo (zoo)

More examples

Viele Aktivisten kritisieren die Haltung der Tiere im Zoo.

Many activists criticize the keeping of animals at the zoo.

Core concept

Enclosures, paths, and viewing areas bring many living animals together for visitors in one managed park.

Common phrases

  • ein Ticket für den Zoo kaufen

    buy a ticket for the zoo

  • die Programme des Zoos besuchen

    attend the zoo's programs

  • die Haltung im Zoo kritisieren

    criticize animal keeping at the zoo

Similar words

Tiergarten: A green animal park beside or within an urban area.
Tierpark: A spacious outdoor park displaying animals in relatively natural surroundings.
Zoologischer Garten: A large managed animal facility for conservation, research, and education.
Aquarium: A facility where fish and other aquatic life are displayed in tanks.

Definition in German

Öffentlicher Ort, oft als Park gestaltet, wo Tiere gepflegt und dem Publikum zu Bildungs- oder Unterhaltungszwecken gezeigt werden.

Word origin

Zoo is a shortening of German Zoologischer Garten, built from zoologisch ('zoological') and Garten ('garden'); zoologisch ultimately derives from Greek zōion ('animal').

Usage tips

  • As a masculine noun, Zoo takes den after gehen in Wir gehen in den Zoo, and its plural is Zoos.

Opposites

  • Wildniswildernessnoun

Related words

  • Zooschulezoo schoolnoun
  • Zooausflugtrip to the zoonoun

Word lists with this word