When you learn German, you'll find words like zahm really useful. It's an adjective, and it describes something that isn't wild. Think of a pet cat or dog; they are zahm because they are used to people and not scared. It can also be used for wild animals that have been domesticated or that aren't dangerous to humans. So, if an animal is friendly and not aggressive, you can say it is zahm.
When talking about animals, zahm refers to an animal that is not wild, has been domesticated, or is accustomed to humans. It implies a lack of aggression and a willingness to be near people without fear. Think of a house cat versus a wild bobcat; the house cat is zahm.
Beyond animals, zahm can also describe a person or a situation. A person who is zahm might be considered docile, compliant, or easily managed, perhaps lacking a strong will or rebellious spirit. For example, a child who is always well-behaved and rarely causes trouble could be described as zahm by their teachers.
In a more abstract sense, a situation or event can be described as zahm if it is less exciting, challenging, or dangerous than expected. Imagine a roller coaster that is surprisingly slow and gentle – you might call it a zahme Achterbahn. Or a party that is rather quiet and lacks energy could be seen as zahm.
While zahm generally has a neutral or positive connotation, particularly when referring to domesticated animals, it can sometimes carry a slightly negative nuance when describing people or events, implying a lack of spirit, excitement, or courage. Context is key to understanding the full implications of zahm.
When we talk about something being zahm, we're usually describing an animal that isn't wild. Think of a pet cat or dog; they are zahm because they are used to humans and don't pose a threat. We can also use it for animals that have been domesticated over time, like farm animals. It's about being gentle and not easily scared by people, which is why a wild animal in a zoo might become zahm after a while. Essentially, it means tamed or domesticated, often implying a lack of aggression towards humans.
How Formal Is It?
"Der Bär im Zirkus war erstaunlich zahm und gehorsam. (The bear in the circus was surprisingly tame and obedient.)"
"Unsere Katze ist sehr zahm und lässt sich gerne streicheln. (Our cat is very tame and loves to be petted.)"
"Sei nicht so zahm, sag ihm, was du denkst! (Don't be so docile, tell him what you think!)"
"Das kleine Kaninchen ist ganz zahm und frisst aus der Hand. (The little rabbit is very tame and eats from your hand.)"
"Die Party war ein bisschen zahm, da hätte mehr abgehen können. (The party was a bit tame, more could have happened there.)"
Curiosidade
The English word 'tame' comes from the same Proto-Germanic root '*tamaz', showing a shared linguistic history across these languages.
Gramática essencial
Adjectives like 'zahm' change their endings based on the case, gender, and number of the noun they describe. This is called adjective declension.
Ein zahmes Tier (a tame animal - nominative, neuter, singular). Die zahme Katze (the tame cat - nominative, feminine, singular).
When 'zahm' is used as a predicate adjective (after a verb like 'sein' - to be), it does not change its ending.
Der Hund ist zahm (The dog is tame). Die Pferde waren zahm (The horses were tame).
You can form a comparative by adding '-er' and a superlative by adding '-st' or '-est' to 'zahm'.
zahmer (tamer), am zahmsten (tamest). Er ist zahmer als seine Schwester (He is tamer than his sister).
'Zahm' can be used figuratively to describe something that is mild, gentle, or not wild, even if it's not an animal.
Eine zahme Version der Geschichte (a tame version of the story). Das Wetter war zahm (The weather was mild/tame).
When used with adverbs of degree, 'zahm' still follows the same declension rules if it's an attributive adjective, but remains unchanged if it's a predicate adjective.
Ein sehr zahmes Tier (a very tame animal). Das Tier ist sehr zahm (The animal is very tame).
Exemplos por nível
Die Katze ist sehr zahm.
The cat is very tame.
Simple present tense.
Der Vogel ist nicht zahm.
The bird is not tame.
Simple present tense with negation.
Sind die Tiere im Zoo zahm?
Are the animals in the zoo tame?
Question form, simple present tense.
Ein zahmer Hund ist ein guter Freund.
A tame dog is a good friend.
Adjective before noun.
Dieses Pferd ist sehr zahm und ruhig.
This horse is very tame and calm.
Two adjectives describing the noun.
Wir haben ein zahmes Kaninchen als Haustier.
We have a tame rabbit as a pet.
Accusative case for 'Kaninchen'.
Das wilde Tier wurde mit der Zeit zahm.
The wild animal became tame over time.
Past tense of 'werden' (to become).
Die Eule ist nicht zahm genug, um sie zu streicheln.
The owl is not tame enough to stroke it.
'genug' (enough) follows the adjective.
Der zahme Bär im Zirkus führte beeindruckende Kunststücke vor.
The tame bear in the circus performed impressive tricks.
Nach vielen Stunden Training wurde der wilde Hund endlich zahm.
After many hours of training, the wild dog finally became tame.
Die Katze ist so zahm, dass sie auf meinem Schoß schläft.
The cat is so tame that it sleeps on my lap.
Es ist erstaunlich, wie zahm die Eichhörnchen im Park geworden sind; sie fressen aus der Hand.
It's amazing how tame the squirrels in the park have become; they eat from your hand.
Die Forscher versuchten, die wilden Vögel zahm zu machen, um sie besser studieren zu können.
The researchers tried to tame the wild birds to study them better.
Obwohl er anfangs sehr scheu war, ist das Kaninchen jetzt ganz zahm.
Although he was very shy at first, the rabbit is now completely tame.
Manche Menschen finden es faszinierend, wilde Tiere zu zähmen, aber es ist oft gefährlich.
Some people find it fascinating to tame wild animals, but it is often dangerous.
Die zahme Eule saß ruhig auf der Schulter des Falkners.
The tame owl sat quietly on the falconer's shoulder.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
Der Hund ist sehr zahm und mag Kinder.
The dog is very tame and likes children.
Sie hat ein zahmes Kaninchen als Haustier.
She has a tame rabbit as a pet.
Nach Wochen im Garten ist der Igel zahm geworden.
After weeks in the garden, the hedgehog has become tame.
Man kann Wildtiere nicht einfach zahm machen.
You can't just tame wild animals.
Die Vögel im Park sind sehr zahm.
The birds in the park are very tame.
Er ist zahm wie ein Lamm, er würde niemandem etwas tun.
He's as tame as a lamb, he wouldn't hurt anyone.
Auch der mutigste Löwe kann zahm werden.
Even the bravest lion can become tame.
Ist diese Maus wirklich so zahm?
Is this mouse really that tame?
Die Rehe im Wald sind oft nicht sehr zahm.
The deer in the forest are often not very tame.
Sein Pferd ist so zahm, dass sogar Kinder darauf reiten können.
His horse is so tame that even children can ride it.
Família de palavras
Substantivos
Verbos
Origem da palavra
Old High German
Significado original: tame, domesticated
GermanicContexto cultural
<p>While 'zahm' primarily describes animals, it can also be used metaphorically for people. For example, a person who is usually wild or unruly might be described as 'zahm' if they are behaving very quietly or submissively. This metaphorical usage highlights the core meaning of being controlled or domesticated.</p>
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasThe core meaning of 'zahm' is about something being tame or domesticated. Think of animals that aren't wild or afraid of people.
Yes, you can. When applied to people, 'zahm' can describe someone who is mild, gentle, or submissive. It's less common than for animals, but still valid.
Exactly! 'Zahm' is often used as the direct opposite of 'wild' (wild). If an animal isn't wild, it's 'zahm'.
Sure. 'Der Löwe im Zirkus ist zahm.' (The lion in the circus is tame.) This shows it's not dangerous or afraid of humans.
You could say: 'Nach der langen Diskussion war er ganz zahm.' (After the long discussion, he was quite subdued/docile.) It implies a change in behavior, from maybe being aggressive to being calm.
Not directly. While a tame animal might be friendly, 'zahm' itself focuses on the lack of fear or aggression towards humans, not necessarily active friendliness. A 'zahm' animal might tolerate you, but not necessarily cuddle.
It's a straightforward descriptive word. It's not particularly strong or weak; it just states a condition of being tame or mild.
A common phrase is 'jemanden zahm machen' (to tame someone/something). For example, 'Er hat versucht, das wilde Pferd zahm zu machen.' (He tried to tame the wild horse.)
Since 'zahm' is an adjective, it changes its ending based on the noun it modifies. There isn't a fixed 'plural form' like with nouns. For example, 'die zahme Katze' (the tame cat) or 'die zahmen Katzen' (the tame cats).
No, 'zahm' is typically used for living beings, especially animals, or sometimes figuratively for people. You wouldn't use it to describe an inanimate object.
Teste-se 60 perguntas
Was bedeutet 'zahm'?
'Zahm' bedeutet, dass ein Tier keine Angst vor Menschen hat und nicht gefährlich ist.
Welches Tier kann 'zahm' sein?
Haustiere sind oft zahm, da sie an Menschen gewöhnt sind.
Welches Wort ist das Gegenteil von 'zahm'?
Wenn ein Tier 'wild' ist, ist es nicht zahm und hat Angst vor Menschen oder ist gefährlich.
Ein zahmer Hund mag Menschen.
Ein zahmer Hund ist an Menschen gewöhnt und mag sie normalerweise.
Ein wilder Tiger ist zahm.
Ein wilder Tiger ist nicht zahm; er ist gefährlich und hat Angst vor Menschen oder ist aggressiv.
Mein Meerschweinchen ist zahm.
Meerschweinchen sind Haustiere und sind oft zahm.
The animal is tame.
He has a tame cat.
Is the dog tame?
Read this aloud:
Das ist ein zahmer Vogel.
Focus: zahm
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Meine Katze ist sehr zahm.
Focus: sehr zahm
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Der Bär ist nicht zahm.
Focus: nicht zahm
Você disse:
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Write a short sentence describing a tame animal you know or imagine.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mein Hund ist zahm.
Complete the sentence: 'Die Katze ist sehr ___.' (The cat is very ___.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Die Katze ist sehr zahm.
Write a sentence saying that a wild animal is NOT tame.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Der Löwe ist nicht zahm, er ist wild.
Was für ein Hund ist Max?
Read this passage:
Ich habe einen kleinen Hund. Er heißt Max. Max ist sehr lieb und freundlich. Er spielt gerne mit Kindern und beißt nicht. Max ist ein zahmer Hund.
Was für ein Hund ist Max?
The passage says 'Max ist ein zahmer Hund.'
The passage says 'Max ist ein zahmer Hund.'
Warum sind die Vögel zahm?
Read this passage:
In unserem Garten gibt es viele Vögel. Sie fliegen oft nah an uns heran. Sie haben keine Angst vor Menschen. Diese Vögel sind zahm.
Warum sind die Vögel zahm?
The passage states, 'Sie haben keine Angst vor Menschen. Diese Vögel sind zahm.'
The passage states, 'Sie haben keine Angst vor Menschen. Diese Vögel sind zahm.'
Kann man dieses Pferd streicheln?
Read this passage:
Das ist ein Pferd. Es ist jung und klein. Man kann es streicheln und füttern. Es ist nicht gefährlich. Das Pferd ist zahm.
Kann man dieses Pferd streicheln?
The passage says, 'Man kann es streicheln und füttern. Es ist nicht gefährlich. Das Pferd ist zahm.'
The passage says, 'Man kann es streicheln und füttern. Es ist nicht gefährlich. Das Pferd ist zahm.'
The cat is very tame and lets itself be petted.
Are the animals in the zoo tame?
This horse is tame enough for children.
Read this aloud:
Mein Hund ist sehr zahm.
Focus: zahm
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Ist deine Katze zahm?
Focus: zahm
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Die Enten im Park sind zahm.
Focus: zahm
Você disse:
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This means 'The cat is tame.'
This translates to 'The dog was very tame.'
This asks 'Are the animals tame?'
The cat is very tame and likes to be petted.
Are the wild animals in this park tame?
After many years indoors, the bird became tame.
Read this aloud:
Das Pferd ist so zahm, dass sogar Kinder auf ihm reiten können.
Focus: zahm, reiten
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Ich hoffe, die Hunde werden bald zahm sein.
Focus: hoffe, bald
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Ein zahmer Fuchs ist eine Seltenheit.
Focus: zahmer, Seltenheit
Você disse:
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Der Hund, den sie gerettet hat, war anfangs sehr ängstlich, aber jetzt ist er ganz ___.
The dog was initially scared, but now it's completely 'zahm', meaning domesticated and not afraid of people.
Viele wilde Tiere können in Gefangenschaft ___ werden, wenn sie an Menschen gewöhnt sind.
Wild animals can become 'zahm' (tame) in captivity if they get used to people.
Es ist erstaunlich, wie schnell sich das kleine Kätzchen an unser Zuhause gewöhnt hat und jetzt so ___ ist.
The kitten quickly got used to the home and is now 'zahm', meaning tame and comfortable around people.
Nach langer Zeit im Streichelzoo sind die Ziegen sehr ___ und lassen sich gerne füttern.
After a long time in the petting zoo, the goats are very 'zahm' (tame) and enjoy being fed.
Um einen Falken zu trainieren, muss man viel Geduld haben, bis er wirklich ___ wird.
To train a falcon, one needs patience until it becomes truly 'zahm' (tame).
Obwohl der Papagei anfangs sehr scheu war, ist er jetzt völlig ___ und sitzt auf meiner Schulter.
Even though the parrot was shy at first, it is now completely 'zahm' (tame) and sits on my shoulder.
The cat is very tame and likes to be petted.
Although the wolf is wild, this one was raised tame among humans.
The donkeys in the petting zoo are so tame that children can feed them.
Read this aloud:
Kannst du den Satz wiederholen: 'Die zahmen Tiere zeigten keine Angst vor den Besuchern.'
Focus: zahmen
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Beschreibe ein Tier, das du kennst und das sehr zahm ist.
Focus: zahm
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Stell dir vor, du hast ein Wildtier gezähmt. Wie würdest du es beschreiben?
Focus: gezähmt
Você disse:
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Nach jahrelangem Training wurde der Wolf endlich so _____, dass er aus der Hand fraß.
The sentence describes the wolf becoming accustomed to humans after training, implying it became 'tame'.
Es ist erstaunlich, wie schnell wilde Tiere in Gefangenschaft oft _____ werden können.
In captivity, wild animals often become 'tame' or domesticated.
Die Katze, die anfangs so ängstlich war, ist mittlerweile sehr _____ und kuschelt gerne.
If the cat was initially fearful but now cuddles, it has become 'tame'.
Obwohl der Vogel aus dem Dschungel kam, ließ er sich erstaunlich schnell ____ machen.
Despite being from the jungle, the bird quickly allowed itself to be 'tamed'.
Nach der Rettung wurde das Eichhörnchen so _____, dass es Nüsse direkt aus der Hand nahm.
Taking nuts from hand implies the squirrel became 'tame' after being rescued.
Die Vorstellung, einen Löwen _____ zu bekommen, ist für die meisten Menschen unbegreiflich.
The concept of making a lion 'tame' is unfathomable for most people.
This sentence describes how animals that were once wild have become tame and tolerate human presence.
This sentence discusses the surprising tameness of wolves in certain reported instances, despite their wild nature.
This sentence illustrates how consistent training can transform an aggressive dog into a completely tame and affectionate one.
/ 60 correct
Perfect score!
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abgrundtief
A2Refere-se a algo extremamente profundo ou a um sentimento muito intenso.
abholzen
B1Significa cortar muitas árvores numa floresta, muitas vezes numa área grande.
absorbieren
B1Absorver líquido ou informação, como uma esponja que encharca água.
abstoßen
B1to repel
abwärts
B1Este advérbio indica movimento ou direção para uma posição ou nível inferior.
abwehren
B1Este verbo significa afastar ou rejeitar algo ou alguém, como defender-se de um ataque.
Acker
B1Um Acker é um campo onde se cultivam plantas, como a terra de um agricultor.
Affe
A1Um animal brincalhão conhecido por escalar árvores e se balançar.
Alge
B1Organismos aquáticos simples que vivem na água e fazem fotossíntese, como as algas marinhas.
allmählich
B1Significa que algo acontece lentamente ao longo de um período de tempo.
