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B1 verb #9,000 mais comum 10 min de leitura

krähen

Top 9,000

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas krähen em 30 segundos

Explicação krähen in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 'krähen' as the sound a rooster makes. In German, a rooster says 'Kikeriki!' and the action he performs is 'krähen.' You might see this in basic picture books or learn it when talking about farm animals. It is a simple, regular verb. You conjugate it like this: ich krähe, du krähst, er/sie/es kräht. It's helpful to remember that animals in Germany have different 'verbs' than in English. While a dog 'bellt' and a cat 'miaut,' a rooster 'kräht.' Focus on the literal meaning first. Imagine a farm at sunrise. The sun comes up, and the 'Hahn' (rooster) stands on a fence and starts to 'krähen.' This is the core image for A1. You don't need to worry about idioms yet. Just remember: Hahn = krähen.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'krähen' in the past tense to describe a trip to the countryside. 'Gestern Morgen hat der Hahn sehr laut gekräht.' You should also be aware that German verbs for animal sounds are often used to make descriptions more vivid. You might learn the word 'Hahnenkrähen' as a noun (the crowing). You can also start to notice that children sometimes 'krähen.' If a child is very happy and makes a loud, high sound, you can say 'Das Kind kräht.' This expands your vocabulary for describing sounds in your environment. You are still focusing on the physical sound, but you are moving beyond just the rooster to include humans who sound like roosters.

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At the B1 level, you should master the most important German idiom involving this verb: 'Danach kräht kein Hahn.' This means 'No one cares about that' or 'That will be forgotten soon.' It is a very common way to express that something is unimportant. For example: 'Ich habe einen kleinen Fehler gemacht, aber danach kräht in einer Woche kein Hahn mehr.' This shows you understand the figurative side of the language. You should also be able to distinguish 'krähen' (rooster) from 'krächzen' (crow/raven). In your writing, you can use 'krähen' to describe a specific type of loud, high-pitched voice, which adds variety to your descriptions. You understand that 'krähen' has a slightly sharp or shrill connotation when applied to people.

At the B2 level, you use 'krähen' with more nuance. You might use it to describe the atmosphere of a scene in a story or a report. You understand the subtle social implications—that 'krähen' can sometimes be a bit mocking if used for an adult's voice. You can use it in more complex sentence structures, such as: 'Anstatt sachlich zu diskutieren, krähten die Kontrahenten ihre Argumente fast schon hysterisch in den Raum.' Here, 'krähen' highlights the unpleasant, shrill quality of the debate. You also understand the cultural history of the word, knowing that the 'Hahnenkrähen' was once a primary way of marking time. You can use the verb in various tenses (Präteritum, Perfekt, Plusquamperfekt) without hesitation.

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At the C1 level, you are comfortable with the stylistic use of 'krähen' in literature and high-level journalism. You recognize it in poetic contexts where it might symbolize a new beginning or a harsh awakening. You can use it to describe a wide range of high-pitched, resonant sounds, and you understand how it fits into the broader system of German onomatopoeia. You might explore related words like 'auskrähen' (to finish crowing/to announce loudly) or use the noun 'Gekrähe' to describe a constant, annoying crowing or shouting. Your use of the idiom 'Danach kräht kein Hahn' is perfectly timed and sounds natural in both formal and informal settings. You can explain the difference between 'krähen' and other vocal verbs to lower-level learners.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of the word's connotations. You can appreciate wordplay involving 'krähen' in literature or cabaret. You might notice how an author uses 'krähen' to subtly dehumanize a character or to create a specific rural or archaic atmosphere. You are aware of regional variations in how animal sounds are described, though 'krähen' is standard. You can use the verb to describe abstract concepts, like a 'krähende Schlagzeile' (a crowing/screaming headline) in a tabloid newspaper, implying it is loud, shrill, and seeking attention. Your mastery includes the ability to use the word with perfect irony or stylistic flair, fully integrating it into a sophisticated German vocabulary.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

krähen em 30 segundos

Krähen is the specific German verb for a rooster's 'crowing' (Kikeriki!).
It is also used for children or adults making high-pitched, joyful noises.
The most common idiom is 'Danach kräht kein Hahn' (Nobody cares).
It is a regular (weak) verb: krähen, krähte, hat gekräht.

The German verb krähen primarily refers to the loud, piercing cry of a rooster, known in English as 'crowing.' At its most literal level, it describes the sound made by male chickens (Hähne) at dawn to mark their territory and signal the start of the day. However, in the rich tapestry of the German language, krähen extends far beyond the farmyard. It is frequently employed to describe human vocalizations that share the same sharp, high-pitched, or triumphant quality. For instance, a small child might 'krähen' with delight when seeing a favorite toy, or a person might 'krähen' in a shrill tone during an argument. This verb captures a specific acoustic texture—one that is resonant, often slightly harsh, and impossible to ignore.

Literal Usage: Used for birds, specifically roosters. Example: 'Der Hahn kräht auf dem Mist.' (The rooster crows on the manure pile.)
Figurative Usage: Used for children or people with high-pitched voices expressing joy or annoyance. Example: 'Das Baby krähte vor Vergnügen.' (The baby crowed with pleasure.)
Idiomatic Usage: Often found in the expression 'Danach kräht kein Hahn,' meaning no one cares or will ever mention it again.

Historically, the sound of the rooster has been a vital timekeeper in rural German life. Before the ubiquity of clocks, the 'Hahnenkrähen' (cock-crow) was the definitive signal for the 'erste Morgenstunde' (first morning hour). This cultural weight is why the verb feels so foundational. When a German speaker uses krähen metaphorically, they are often implying that the sound is loud enough to wake the dead or at least disrupt the peace. It is not a gentle sound like 'flüstern' (whispering) or 'summen' (humming). It is an assertive, vocal act.

Sobald die ersten Sonnenstrahlen das Dorf berührten, begann der stolze Hahn lautstark zu krähen.

In modern urban settings, you might hear this word used mockingly. If someone is bragging too loudly or in a shrill voice, a witness might say they are 'krähen' their success. It suggests a lack of modesty and a piercing quality to the voice. It is also distinct from 'schreien' (to scream); while 'schreien' is general, 'krähen' implies a specific pitch and rhythm. Understanding this distinction is key for B1 learners moving toward B2, as it allows for more precise descriptive language. Furthermore, the verb is weak (regelmäßig), making it easy to conjugate: krähen, krähte, gekräht. This simplicity in form contrasts with the vivid imagery it provides. Whether you are describing a morning in the Alps or a noisy playground, 'krähen' offers a specific auditory brushstroke that 'rufen' or 'singen' cannot match. It evokes the raw, unpolished energy of nature and the uninhibited vocalizations of youth.

Using krähen correctly requires an understanding of its subjects and its idiomatic potential. In its most basic form, the subject is almost always a 'Hahn' (rooster). 'Der Hahn kräht' is the quintessential German sentence for this verb. However, to sound more natural and advanced, you should explore its use with human subjects. When a person is the subject, 'krähen' usually describes a sound made in a high, often strained or excited register.

With Children: 'Die Kinder krähten auf dem Spielplatz um die Wette.' (The children were crowing/shouting loudly against each other on the playground.)
With Emotions: 'Sie krähte vor Freude, als sie die Überraschung sah.' (She shrieked with joy when she saw the surprise.)

Grammatically, 'krähen' is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object in its primary sense. You don't 'krähen' something; you just 'krähen.' However, you can use it with 'vor' + dative to indicate the cause of the sound, such as 'vor Begeisterung' (with enthusiasm) or 'vor Wut' (with anger).

Wenn wir das Ziel erreichen, werden wir vor Stolz krähen.

Another crucial grammatical pattern involves the idiom 'Danach kräht kein Hahn.' This is a fixed expression where 'kräht' is the verb and 'kein Hahn' is the subject. It is used to dismiss something as irrelevant or forgotten. For example, if you make a small mistake in a presentation, a colleague might say, 'In zwei Wochen kräht danach kein Hahn mehr.' (In two weeks, no one will care about that anymore.) This is a very common way to hear the verb in daily German conversation, especially in workplace or social contexts where people worry about minor social blunders. In literature, 'krähen' is often used to set a scene. Authors use it to establish a rural setting or to emphasize the early hour. 'Als der Hahn zum dritten Mal krähte...' is a classic narrative device, often referencing biblical or folkloric motifs. For a B1 learner, mastering 'krähen' means knowing when to use it literally for animals, when to use it figuratively for high-pitched human joy, and when to use the 'Hahn' idiom to sound like a native speaker. The verb stays in the present perfect with 'haben': 'Der Hahn hat gekräht.' It follows the standard weak verb conjugation rules perfectly, making it a reliable tool in your vocabulary arsenal.

The word krähen resonates through several specific layers of German life. First and foremost, you will hear it in the countryside. Germany has a deep agricultural heritage, and 'Hahnenkrähen' is a standard part of the rural soundscape. If you stay in a 'Ferienhof' (holiday farm) in Bavaria or the Black Forest, the act of 'krähen' will likely be your alarm clock.

Children's Literature: In stories like 'Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten' (The Bremen Town Musicians), the rooster's crowing is a central plot point. Children learn this word very early.
Daily Idioms: In offices and homes, the phrase 'Danach kräht kein Hahn' is used to alleviate stress or dismiss gossip.

You will also encounter it in news reports or political commentary, albeit metaphorically. If a minor political scandal is expected to blow over quickly, a commentator might say, 'In einem Monat kräht danach kein Hahn mehr.' This implies the 'noise' of the scandal is temporary and will soon be ignored.

In der stillen Morgendämmerung hörte man nur das ferne Krähen eines Hahns.

Furthermore, in the context of sports or competitions, you might hear a commentator describe a fan's shrill celebration as 'krähen.' It captures the unbridled, sometimes piercing excitement of a victory. In music, particularly in folk or classical lieder, 'krähen' might appear in lyrics describing the break of day or the harshness of winter (where a crow 'krächzt' but a rooster might still 'krähen' to signal a cold morning). In the digital age, you might even see it in social media comments. If someone is complaining about something trivial, another user might reply with a rooster emoji and a comment about how 'kein Hahn danach kräht.' It has become a shorthand for 'nobody cares.' Thus, while the literal act of a rooster crowing might be less common in the lives of city-dwellers, the linguistic footprint of 'krähen' remains vast and versatile, spanning from traditional fairy tales to modern internet slang.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with krähen is confusing it with 'krächzen.' While both refer to bird sounds, they are not interchangeable. 'Krähen' is specifically for the rhythmic, loud call of a rooster (crowing), whereas 'krächzen' is for the harsh, raspy sound of a crow or raven (croaking). If you say 'Der Hahn krächzt,' Germans will think the rooster has a very sore throat!

Krähen vs. Krächzen: Krähen = Rooster (Cock-a-doodle-doo). Krächzen = Crow/Raven (Caw-caw) or a raspy human voice.
Confusion with 'Schreien': Using 'schreien' for a rooster is technically understood but sounds unnatural. Roosters always 'krähen.'

Another common mistake is the word order in the idiom 'Danach kräht kein Hahn.' Learners often try to translate 'No one cares about that' literally (e.g., 'Niemand sorgt sich darum'), which is correct but lacks the idiomatic flavor that 'krähen' provides. When using the idiom, remember that 'danach' (after that/about that) must come first or be clearly linked to the verb.

Falsch: Der Hahn krächzt am Morgen. Richtig: Der Hahn kräht am Morgen.

Pronunciation can also be a hurdle. The 'ä' in 'krähen' is a long open 'e' sound (like in 'air' but without the 'r' influence in some dialects). Some learners pronounce it too much like an 'a' or a short 'e.' It should be /ˈkrɛːən/. Also, don't forget the 'h' is silent, serving only to lengthen the vowel. Finally, avoid using 'krähen' for melodic singing. Even if a singer is hitting high notes, calling it 'krähen' would be an insult, implying their voice is shrill and animalistic rather than musical. Use 'schmettern' if you want to describe powerful, loud singing, but reserve 'krähen' for roosters, joyful toddlers, or dismissive idioms.

To truly master the semantic field of krähen, it is helpful to compare it with other German verbs describing vocalizations and sounds. Depending on the context—whether you are in a barnyard or a boardroom—different words might be more appropriate.

Krächzen: The sound of a crow or a person with a very hoarse voice. It is lower and raspier than 'krähen.'
Gackern: To cackle or cluck. This is what hens (Hennen) do. Metaphorically, it refers to silly, gossipy laughter.
Schreien: To shout or scream. General purpose for any loud vocalization.
Jauchzen: To cheer or shout with joy. This is a more positive, melodic alternative to 'krähen' when describing human happiness.

If you want to describe the rooster's sound but 'krähen' feels too repetitive, you can use the noun 'der Hahnenruf' (the cock-call). In a more formal or poetic context, you might see 'metaphorical' uses of 'krähen' replaced by 'posaunen' (to trumpet) if someone is loudly announcing something.

Während der Hahn kräht, hört man die Enten schnattern und die Gänse gackern.

Another interesting alternative is 'quiet' verbs for comparison. If 'krähen' is the maximum of morning noise, 'tuscheln' (to whisper/gossip quietly) or 'wispern' (to whisper) represent the opposite end of the spectrum. Understanding these contrasts helps you describe scenes with more texture. In summary, 'krähen' is the king of sharp, loud, assertive sounds. Use 'krächzen' for the dark and raspy, 'gackern' for the busy and silly, and 'jauchzen' for the purely joyful. By choosing the right bird-related verb, you bring your German descriptions to life.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

In many languages, the word for 'crowing' sounds like the noise itself. While English has 'crow,' German has 'krähen,' both starting with the 'kr-' sound that mimics a harsh throat noise.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ˈkʁɛːən/

US /ˈkʁeɪən/

The stress is on the first syllable: KRÄ-hen.

Rima com

nähen (to sew) mähen (to mow) blähen (to bloat) spähen (to peer) drehen (to turn - near rhyme) stehen (to stand - near rhyme) gehen (to go - near rhyme) sehen (to see - near rhyme)

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'h' (it is silent).
Making the 'r' too much like an English 'r'.
Pronouncing 'ä' like 'ah'.
Confusing it with 'krachen' (to crash).
Shortening the 'ä' too much.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially with 'Hahn'.

Escrita 3/5

Requires knowledge of the 'ä' spelling and weak conjugation.

Expressão oral 3/5

The 'r' and 'ä' combination requires some practice for English speakers.

Audição 2/5

Distinctive sound, usually easy to pick out.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

der Hahn laut morgens hören die Stimme

Aprenda a seguir

krächzen gackern zwitschern wiehern bellen

Avançado

herbeikrähen das Hahnenkrähen die Morgendämmerung die Gleichgültigkeit

Gramática essencial

Weak Verb Conjugation

krähen -> krähte -> gekräht (regular pattern).

Onomatopoeic Verbs

Verbs like krähen, summen, and bellen often follow regular patterns.

AcI (Accusative with Infinitive)

Ich höre den Hahn krähen. (No 'zu' used with 'hören').

Idiomatic Word Order

In 'Danach kräht kein Hahn', 'danach' acts as a pronominal adverb.

Noun from Verb

Das Krähen (Nominalized infinitive, always neuter).

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Exemplos por nível

Der Hahn kräht morgens.

The rooster crows in the morning.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

Hörst du den Hahn krähen?

Do you hear the rooster crowing?

Accusative with infinitive (AcI) construction.

Ein Hahn kann laut krähen.

A rooster can crow loudly.

Modal verb 'können' + infinitive.

Warum kräht der Hahn?

Why does the rooster crow?

Question word 'warum'.

Der Hahn kräht: Kikeriki!

The rooster crows: Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Direct speech.

Ich krähe wie ein Hahn.

I crow like a rooster.

Comparison with 'wie'.

Der Hahn kräht auf dem Bauernhof.

The rooster crows on the farm.

Prepositional phrase 'auf dem Bauernhof'.

Morgens kräht der Hahn immer.

In the morning, the rooster always crows.

Adverb 'immer' for frequency.

Der Hahn hat heute sehr früh gekräht.

The rooster crowed very early today.

Perfekt tense with 'haben'.

Das Baby krähte vor Freude.

The baby crowed with joy.

Präteritum (simple past).

Wir hörten die Hähne im Dorf krähen.

We heard the roosters in the village crowing.

Plural 'Hähne'.

Wenn die Sonne aufgeht, kräht der Hahn.

When the sun rises, the rooster crows.

Temporal subordinate clause with 'wenn'.

Der Hahn wollte nicht krähen.

The rooster did not want to crow.

Modal verb in Präteritum.

Gestern krähte der Hahn den ganzen Tag.

Yesterday the rooster crowed all day.

Time expression 'den ganzen Tag'.

Kannst du wie ein Hahn krähen?

Can you crow like a rooster?

Interrogative with modal verb.

Das Kind hat laut vor Glück gekräht.

The child crowed loudly with happiness.

Perfekt with 'vor' + dative.

In zwei Wochen kräht danach kein Hahn mehr.

In two weeks, no one will care about that anymore.

Idiomatic expression.

Der Hahn krähte so laut, dass ich aufwachte.

The rooster crowed so loudly that I woke up.

Consecutive clause with 'so... dass'.

Niemand wird nach dieser alten Geschichte krähen.

No one will crow after (care about) this old story.

Future tense with idiom variation.

Das kleine Mädchen krähte begeistert, als sie das Pony sah.

The little girl crowed enthusiastically when she saw the pony.

Participle used as an adverb 'begeistert'.

Obwohl es regnete, krähte der Hahn draußen.

Although it was raining, the rooster crowed outside.

Concessive clause with 'obwohl'.

Es ist mir egal, ob danach ein Hahn kräht.

I don't care if anyone cares about it later.

Indirect question with 'ob'.

Der Hahn kräht, um sein Revier zu markieren.

The rooster crows to mark his territory.

Infinitive clause with 'um... zu'.

Früher krähten die Hähne in jeder Straße.

In the past, roosters crowed in every street.

Präteritum for past habits.

Die Opposition krähte triumphierend über den Fehler der Regierung.

The opposition crowed triumphantly about the government's mistake.

Metaphorical usage.

Man sollte nicht zu früh krähen, bevor der Sieg sicher ist.

One should not crow too early before victory is certain.

Proverbial usage.

Das schrille Krähen der Kinder war im ganzen Haus zu hören.

The shrill crowing of the children could be heard throughout the house.

Nominalization 'das Krähen'.

Er krähte seine Befehle über den Platz.

He barked/crowed his orders across the square.

Transitive-like usage for voice quality.

Sobald die Nachricht bekannt wird, wird kein Hahn mehr danach krähen.

As soon as the news becomes known, no one will care anymore (it will be old news).

Future I with idiom.

Der Hahn hat dreimal gekräht, bevor der Verrat bemerkt wurde.

The rooster crowed three times before the betrayal was noticed.

Passive voice in subordinate clause.

Mit krächzender Stimme versuchte er zu krähen.

With a croaking voice, he tried to crow.

Contrast between 'krächzen' and 'krähen'.

Das Krähen eines Hahnes kann bis zu 100 Dezibel erreichen.

The crowing of a rooster can reach up to 100 decibels.

Genitive 'eines Hahnes'.

Das eitle Krähen des jungen Talents nervte die alteingesessenen Künstler.

The vain crowing of the young talent annoyed the established artists.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

In der Einöde war das Krähen das einzige Lebenszeichen.

In the wilderness, the crowing was the only sign of life.

Use of 'Einöde'.

Er krähte vor Vergnügen, als sein Plan endlich aufging.

He crowed with pleasure when his plan finally worked out.

Phrasal verb 'aufgehen'.

Kein Hahn kräht nach den Versprechen von gestern.

No one cares about yesterday's promises.

Idiomatic brevity.

Das Krähen wurde durch das Echo der Berge verstärkt.

The crowing was amplified by the echo of the mountains.

Passive voice with 'durch'.

Manche Kritiker krähen schon den Untergang des Kinos herbei.

Some critics are already crowing about (prophesying loudly) the downfall of cinema.

Prefix verb 'herbeikrähen' (figurative).

Sein Lachen klang fast wie das Krähen eines Hahns.

His laugh sounded almost like the crowing of a rooster.

Simile.

Das morgendliche Krähen markiert den rituellen Beginn des Tages.

The morning crowing marks the ritual beginning of the day.

Adjective 'morgendlich'.

Das selbstgefällige Krähen über den vermeintlichen Sieg erwies sich als verfrüht.

The complacent crowing over the supposed victory proved to be premature.

Complex noun phrase.

In diesem abgelegenen Winkel der Welt kräht wahrlich kein Hahn nach globalen Krisen.

In this remote corner of the world, truly no one cares about global crises.

Adverb 'wahrlich' for emphasis.

Die schrillen Stimmen der Marktfrauen krähten durcheinander.

The shrill voices of the market women crowed/shouted over one another.

Adverb 'durcheinander'.

Das literarische Motiv des Hahnenkrähens symbolisiert oft die schmerzhafte Wahrheit.

The literary motif of cock-crowing often symbolizes the painful truth.

Academic register.

Er krähte seine Freude in die kühle Morgenluft hinaus.

He crowed his joy out into the cool morning air.

Separable prefix-like construction 'hinaus...'

Das Gekrähe der Menge übertönte die leisen Worte des Redners.

The crowing/shouting of the crowd drowned out the speaker's quiet words.

Collective noun 'Gekrähe'.

Man darf das Krähen des Hahns nicht als bloßes Geräusch abtun.

One must not dismiss the rooster's crowing as mere noise.

Modal construction 'darf... nicht'.

Sein triumphales Krähen hallte noch lange in ihren Ohren nach.

His triumphant crowing echoed in her ears for a long time.

Separable verb 'nachhallen'.

Colocações comuns

der Hahn kräht

vor Freude krähen

lautstark krähen

begeistert krähen

schrill krähen

morgendliches Krähen

dreimal krähen

triumphierend krähen

vergnügt krähen

um die Wette krähen

Frases Comuns

Danach kräht kein Hahn.

— No one cares about that; it's irrelevant.

Mach dir keine Sorgen, danach kräht kein Hahn mehr.

Kein Hahn kräht danach.

— Another version of the same idiom.

In einem Jahr kräht kein Hahn mehr nach diesem Skandal.

Den Hahn krähen hören.

— To hear the rooster crow (literal).

Ich habe den Hahn heute Morgen nicht krähen hören.

Wie ein Hahn krähen.

— To crow like a rooster (imitation).

Er kann perfekt wie ein Hahn krähen.

Vor Begeisterung krähen.

— To shout with excitement.

Die Menge krähte vor Begeisterung.

Ein Krähen in der Stimme.

— A shrill or crow-like quality to someone's voice.

Sie hatte ein leichtes Krähen in der Stimme.

Das erste Hahnenkrähen.

— The very first light of dawn.

Wir brachen beim ersten Hahnenkrähen auf.

Zum Krähen sein.

— Something so funny or absurd it makes you shout (rare/regional).

Das ist ja zum Krähen!

Krähen und gackern.

— A lot of noisy, useless talk.

Hört auf zu krähen und zu gackern!

Ein Hahn, der nicht kräht.

— Something or someone that doesn't fulfill their primary purpose.

Ein Wecker ohne Ton ist wie ein Hahn, der nicht kräht.

Frequentemente confundido com

krähen vs krächzen

Krächzen is for crows/ravens (croak); krähen is for roosters (crow).

krähen vs krachen

Krachen means to crash or make a loud bang, not a vocal sound.

krähen vs kauen

Kauen means to chew; sounds slightly similar but unrelated.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Danach kräht kein Hahn."

— This is the most famous idiom. It means that something is completely forgotten or of no interest to anyone.

In zwei Wochen kräht kein Hahn mehr nach deinem Versprecher.

informal/neutral

"Es kräht kein Hahn nach ihm."

— He is completely forgotten or ignored.

Seit er im Ruhestand ist, kräht kein Hahn mehr nach ihm.

informal

"Den Sieg herbeikrähen."

— To boast about victory before it's achieved (similar to 'counting chickens').

Krähe den Sieg nicht herbei, das Spiel läuft noch.

informal

"Krähen wie ein besessener Hahn."

— To shout or scream uncontrollably.

Er krähte wie ein besessener Hahn vor Wut.

informal

"Das Krähen des Hahns abwarten."

— To wait for the right moment (dawn/start).

Wir müssen das Krähen des Hahns abwarten, bevor wir gehen.

poetic

"Wie ein Hahn auf dem Mist krähen."

— To brag loudly in one's own small territory.

Er kräht auf seiner Abteilung wie ein Hahn auf dem Mist.

pejorative

"Nach etwas krähen."

— To demand something loudly (rarely used for objects).

Das Volk krähte nach Gerechtigkeit.

literary

"Ein Krähen im Hals haben."

— To have a shrill, hoarse voice.

Sie hatte nach dem Konzert ein Krähen im Hals.

informal

"Das Gekrähe leid sein."

— To be tired of someone's constant complaining or bragging.

Ich bin sein ewiges Gekrähe leid.

informal

"Krähen vor Glück."

— To be so happy you make loud, high sounds.

Die Lottogewinnerin krähte vor Glück.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

krähen vs krächzen

Both are bird sounds starting with 'kr'.

Krähen is high and rhythmic (rooster); krächzen is low and raspy (crow).

Der Hahn kräht, der Rabe krächzt.

krähen vs gackern

Both are chicken sounds.

Krähen is for the male (rooster); gackern is for the female (hen).

Hähne krähen, Hennen gackern.

krähen vs schreien

Both mean making a loud noise.

Schreien is general; krähen implies a specific pitch or animal.

Er schrie um Hilfe, aber das Kind krähte vor Freude.

krähen vs rufen

Both involve vocalizing.

Rufen is often for communication; krähen is more expressive or animalistic.

Ich rufe dich an, aber der Hahn kräht nur.

krähen vs singen

Both are vocal sounds birds make.

Singen is melodic (songbirds); krähen is loud and harsh (rooster).

Die Nachtigall singt, der Hahn kräht.

Padrões de frases

Der [Tier] kräht.

Der Hahn kräht.

Das Kind kräht vor [Gefühl].

Das Kind kräht vor Freude.

Danach kräht kein Hahn.

In einem Monat kräht danach kein Hahn mehr.

[Subjekt] krähte so laut, dass [Folge].

Der Hahn krähte so laut, dass alle aufwachten.

Das [Adjektiv] Krähen von [Nomen].

Das triumphale Krähen des Siegers.

Etwas [Verb] herbeikrähen.

Die Kritiker krähten das Ende der Ära herbei.

Jemanden [Verb] hören.

Ich hörte ihn vor Vergnügen krähen.

[Zeit] hat der Hahn gekräht.

Heute Morgen hat der Hahn gekräht.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

das Krähen

der Hahnenkrat (archaic)

das Gekrähe

Verbos

auskrähen

herbeikrähen

mitkrähen

Adjetivos

krähend

Relacionado

der Hahn

das Huhn

das Küken

krächzen

gackern

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Como usar

frequency

Common in specific contexts (rural, parenting, idioms).

Erros comuns

Der Rabe kräht. → Der Rabe krächzt.
You used the rooster's verb for a crow. Crows croak (krächzen).
Der Hahn hat gekrohen. → Der Hahn hat gekräht.
Krähen is a weak verb. Do not use strong verb endings.
Danach kräht niemanden. → Danach kräht kein Hahn.
This is a fixed idiom. You cannot replace 'kein Hahn' with 'niemand' and keep the idiom.
Ich höre den Hahn zu krähen. → Ich höre den Hahn krähen.
After 'hören', we use the infinitive without 'zu' (AcI).
Der Hahn kraht. → Der Hahn kräht.
Don't forget the Umlaut 'ä'. It changes the pronunciation significantly.

Dicas

The Crazy Hen's Husband

Remember 'Krähen' starts like 'Crazy' and ends like 'Hen'. The 'Crazy Hen's' husband (the rooster) is the one who crows!

Regular as a Clock

Just like a rooster crows regularly, the verb 'krähen' is perfectly regular. No surprise changes in the stem!

The Biblical Rooster

If you read the Bible in German, look for 'krähen' in the story of Peter. It adds a lot of dramatic weight.

Dismiss it with a Hahn

Use 'Danach kräht kein Hahn' to show you're relaxed about minor mistakes. It's a very 'cool' native phrase.

Bird Sound Logic

German is very specific about bird sounds. Roosters 'krähen', crows 'krächzen', hens 'gackern', and ducks 'schnattern'.

Silent H, Long Vowel

The 'h' is just a signpost saying 'make the ä long'. Don't let it trip your tongue!

Baby Talk

When a baby is happy and making loud noises, 'krähen' is the perfect, cute verb to use.

Setting the Scene

Start a story with 'Der Hahn krähte...' to immediately tell the reader it's morning in a rural area.

Catch the Kikeriki

Roosters say 'Kikeriki' in German. If you hear that in a song or story, the verb 'krähen' is usually nearby.

Crow vs. Krähen

The English word 'crow' is both the bird and the sound. In German, 'Krähe' is the bird, but 'krähen' is the sound of the ROOSTER. Careful!

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a **Kra**zy **H**en's husband (the rooster) making a loud noise. **Krä-hen**.

Associação visual

Imagine a rooster standing on a **crane** (Krähen sounds like crane) in the morning, waking up the whole city.

Word Web

Hahn Morgen laut Stimme Kikeriki Bauernhof Freude Idiot

Desafio

Try to use the phrase 'Danach kräht kein Hahn' in a conversation about a minor worry you have. It will help you sound more native!

Origem da palavra

From Middle High German 'kræjen' and Old High German 'krāen'. It is of onomatopoeic origin, imitating the sound of the bird.

Significado original: To make a sound like a crow or rooster.

Germanic, related to English 'crow'.

Contexto cultural

Calling a person's voice 'krähend' can be seen as insulting, as it implies a harsh, animalistic sound.

English speakers use 'crow' similarly for roosters, but the idiom 'Danach kräht kein Hahn' doesn't have a direct 'crow' equivalent (we say 'no one will care').

The Bremen Town Musicians (Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten) - the rooster. The Bible - Peter denying Jesus before the rooster crows. Wilhelm Busch poems often feature farm animals.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

On a farm

Wann kräht der Hahn?
Das Krähen weckt mich.
Der Hahn kräht laut.
Hörst du das?

Describing a child

Das Baby kräht vor Freude.
Hör auf zu krähen!
Sie krähte ganz laut.
Ein fröhliches Krähen.

Dismissing a worry

Danach kräht kein Hahn.
Kein Hahn kräht mehr danach.
Das ist egal.
Vergiss es.

Literary descriptions

Beim ersten Krähen des Hahns.
Der Hahn krähte dreimal.
Ein schrilles Krähen.
Die Stille wurde durch Krähen unterbrochen.

Arguments

Sie krähte ihre Meinung.
Hör auf rumzukrähen!
Er krähte triumphierend.
Ein hässliches Krähen.

Iniciadores de conversa

"Hat dich heute Morgen auch ein Hahn mit seinem Krähen geweckt?"

"Glaubst du, dass nach diesem Skandal in einer Woche noch ein Hahn kräht?"

"Können deine Kinder auch so laut vor Freude krähen?"

"Was ist für dich das nervigste Geräusch: Krähen oder Gackern?"

"Hast du schon mal versucht, wie ein Hahn zu krähen?"

Temas para diário

Beschreibe einen Morgen auf dem Land. Was hörst du? Kräht ein Hahn?

Gibt es etwas in deinem Leben, von dem du hoffst, dass danach bald 'kein Hahn mehr kräht'?

Wie reagierst du, wenn jemand triumphierend über einen kleinen Erfolg kräht?

Schreibe eine kurze Geschichte über einen Hahn, der seine Stimme verliert und nicht mehr krähen kann.

Welche Geräusche aus der Natur (wie das Krähen) findest du beruhigend oder störend?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Primarily, yes. However, it is commonly used for children making high-pitched joyful sounds or metaphorically for people shouting shrilly.

It's an idiom meaning 'No one cares' or 'It will be forgotten.' It suggests the matter is so unimportant that not even a rooster would bother to announce it.

Yes, it is a weak (regular) verb: krähen, krähte, hat gekräht. You don't need to learn any irregular forms.

It is a long 'ä' (IPA: /ɛː/). It sounds like the 'ai' in 'hair' but without the 'r' sound at the end. The 'h' is silent.

No. Even though the bird is called 'die Krähe', its sound is 'krächzen'. Only the rooster 'kräht'.

It is always 'hat gekräht' because it is an intransitive verb expressing an action, not a change of state or location.

Yes, but it often sounds a bit negative, implying their voice is too high, loud, or triumphant in an annoying way.

The most common noun is 'das Krähen' (the act of crowing). You might also hear 'das Gekrähe' for constant, annoying crowing.

Yes. 'Jauchzen' is always positive and joyful. 'Krähen' can be joyful (for babies) but can also be harsh or annoying.

In German, as in English, they do it to mark territory and signal the dawn. The verb 'krähen' captures this specific biological function.

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