die Fauna, Faunen

Definition & meaning

Fauna means the animal life of a particular place, habitat, or period in Earth’s history. It refers collectively to the animal species found there, rather than to one individual animal.

For example, the fauna of a region means all the animal species that live in that region.

Grammar & Word origin

Fauna is a feminine noun: die Fauna. It is usually used as a collective noun in the singular. The plural Faunen exists but is uncommon.

The word was borrowed from Latin fauna, named after Fauna, a Roman goddess associated with nature and fertility. It does not divide into meaningful parts in modern German.

Synonyms & antonyms

• Tierwelt ↗ — “animal world”; a common, near-synonymous word. Fauna often sounds more scientific and is frequently used for a specific region or period.
• Tierreich ↗ — “animal kingdom”; can refer broadly to the animal world, especially as a biological category.

There is no exact antonym. Flora ↗ means the plant life of a place or period, so it is the corresponding term for plant life, not a true opposite.

Common phrases & collocations

• die Fauna eines Gebiets ↗ — the fauna of an area
• die heimische Fauna ↗ — the native fauna
• die marine Fauna ↗ — marine animal life
• Fauna und Flora ↗ — fauna and flora