noun

der Napf, ¨-el

bowl

Ein flaches, rundes Gefäß, aus dem Tiere Futter oder Wasser bekommen.

Definition & meaning

The word Napf refers to a small, bowl-shaped container, usually made of ceramic, metal, or plastic, used for food or water. It is most commonly associated with animals, such as pets.

  1. Animal bowl: A vessel used to hold food or water for animals (e.g., a dog's food bowl).
  2. Historical/Regional usage: In some contexts, it can refer to a deep bowl or cup used for human consumption, though this usage is less common in modern standard German compared to "Schale".

Grammar & Word origin

  • Grammar: The word is a masculine noun (der). Its plural form is "die Näpfe".
  • Word origin: The word comes from the Old High German "hnapf", which refers to a drinking vessel or bowl. It is related to the Old English "hnæp" and the Middle Low German "nap".

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • die Futterschüssel (specifically for animal food)
  • die Schale (a general term for a bowl)
  • der Trog (a trough, usually for livestock)
  • das Gefäß (a general term for a vessel or container)

Antonyms: There are no direct antonyms for a container like a Napf, as it depends on the context of what is being stored or how it is being used. However, it contrasts with flat items like:

  • der Teller (a plate)

Make “Napf” part of your vocabulary.

Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.

Examples

Der Hund hat seinen Napf leergemacht.noun

The dog has emptied his bowl.

Keep exploring German

Learn words from the content you love.

Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).