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noun

die Hege, -n

care

Damit ist die vorsorgliche Pflege und der Schutz von Tieren und Pflanzen in der Natur gemeint, um ihren Bestand dauerhaft zu sichern.

Definition & meaning

The word "Hege" primarily refers to the careful maintenance, protection, and nurturing of something, typically within the context of nature or specific environments. It is most commonly used in two ways:

  1. Wildlife and Hunting (Jagdwesen): In this context, it refers to the legal and ethical obligation of hunters and land managers to protect wildlife and their habitats. This includes ensuring a healthy population, providing food during harsh winters, and preventing diseases. It is about conservation and management rather than just hunting.
  2. General Maintenance: It often appears in the fixed German idiom "Hege und Pflege," which translates to "cherishing and nurturing" or "care and maintenance." This can apply to gardens, relationships, or even traditions that one wishes to preserve.

Grammar & Word origin

"Hege" is a feminine noun (die Hege). The plural form is "die Hegen," though it is rarely used in the plural.

The word is derived from the Middle High German "hege" and is closely related to the verb "hegen". Etymologically, it shares the same root as the German word "Hag" (hedge or enclosure). Originally, the term described the act of enclosing a piece of land with a hedge to protect it or to define it as a protected area where certain rules applied.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • Pflege: General care or maintenance.
  • Schutz: Protection from harm.
  • Fürsorge: Welfare or solicitous care.
  • Erhaltung: Preservation or conservation.
  • Betreuung: Supervision or looking after something.

Antonyms:

  • Vernachlässigung: Neglect or failure to care for something.
  • Verwahrlosung: A state of decay or being left to run wild.
  • Ausbeutung: Exploitation, the opposite of protective management.
  • Zerstörung: Destruction.

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Examples

Dank seiner Hege erholte sich der Waldbestand.noun

Thanks to his care, the forest population recovered.

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