Fuchs du Hast die Gans Gestohlen – Bilingual Lyrics German/English

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the German language through the timeless children's song "Fuchs, du hast die Gans gestohlen." Learn basic vocabulary and cultural context while enjoying this classic tune, perfect for young learners and those interested in German folklore. The simple lyrics and repetitive structure make it easy to follow along and improve your German language skills.

[English]

Fox, you have stolen the goose

Give it back!

Fox, you have stolen the goose

Give it back!

Otherwise, the hunter will come for you

With the shotgun

Otherwise, the hunter will come for you

With the shotgun

His big, long rifle

Shoots at you with the shot

His big, long rifle

Shoots at you with the shot

That stains you with red ink

And then you are dead

That stains you with red ink

And then you are dead

Dear little fox, let me advise you

Just don't be a thief

Dear little fox, let me advise you

Just don't be a thief

Take, you don't need goose roast

Be content with the mouse

Take, you don't need goose roast

Be content with the mouse

Take, you don't need goose roast

Be content with the mouse

Take, you don't need goose roast

Be content with the mouse

[German]

Fuchs, du hast die Gans gestohlen

Gib sie wieder her!

Fuchs, du hast die Gans gestohlen

Gib sie wieder her!

Sonst wird dich der Jäger holen

Mit dem Schießgewehr

Sonst wird dich der Jäger holen

Mit dem Schießgewehr

Seine große, lange Flinte

Schießt auf dich den Schrot

Seine große, lange Flinte

Schießt auf dich den Schrot

Daß dich färbt die rote Tinte

Und dann bist du tot

Daß dich färbt die rote Tinte

Und dann bist du tot

Liebes Füchslein, laß dir raten

Sei doch nur kein Dieb

Liebes Füchslein, laß dir raten

Sei doch nur kein Dieb

Nimm, du brauchst nicht Gänsebraten

Mit der Maus vorlieb

Nimm, du brauchst nicht Gänsebraten

Mit der Maus vorlieb

Nimm, du brauchst nicht Gänsebraten

Mit der Maus vorlieb

Nimm, du brauchst nicht Gänsebraten

Mit der Maus vorlieb

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Fuchs /fʊks/ A1	noun - fox
Gans /ɡans/ A1	noun - goose
gestohlen /ɡəˈʃtoːlən/ B1	verb - stolen (past participle of 'stehlen')
Jäger /ˈjɛːɡɐ/ A2	noun - hunter
holen /ˈhoːlən/ A2	verb - to fetch, to get
Schießgewehr /ˈʃiːsɡəˌveːɐ̯/ B2	noun - rifle
große /ˈɡroːsə/ A1	adjective - big, large
lange /ˈlaŋə/ A1	adjective - long
Flinte /ˈflɪntə/ B2	noun - shotgun
schießt /ʃiːst/ B1	verb - shoots
Schrot /ʃroːt/ B2	noun - shot (small pellets for hunting)
färbt /fɛɐ̯pt/ B2	verb - dyes, colors
rote /ˈroːtə/ A1	adjective - red
Tinte /ˈtɪntə/ B1	noun - ink
tot /toːt/ A1	adjective - dead
Dieb /diːp/ A2	noun - thief
Gänsebraten /ˈɡɛnzəˌbʁaːtn̩/ B2	noun - roast goose
Maus /maʊs/ A1	noun - mouse

Key Grammar Structures

• Fuchs, du hast die Gans gestohlen

  ➔ Present perfect tense with 'haben' + past participle

  ➔ 'hast' is the conjugated form of 'haben' for 'du' (you), combined with the past participle 'gestohlen' (stolen)

• Gib sie wieder her!

  ➔ Imperative form of the verb 'geben' (to give), instructing someone to return something

  ➔ Uses the imperative 'Gib' (give) to command someone to return 'sie' (it/them)

• Sonst wird dich der Jäger holen

  ➔ Future tense using 'werden' + infinitive to indicate a future action

  ➔ 'wird' is the third person singular of 'werden' (will), combined with 'holen' (to fetch/beat) to form future tense

• Mit der Maus vorlieb

  ➔ Prepositional phrase indicating preference or liking for something

  ➔ The phrase 'mit der Maus vorlieb nehmen' means to prefer or be satisfied with something, specifically here it suggests choosing the mouse (as a metaphor for avoiding larger meals)

• Seine große, lange Flinte

  ➔ Noun phrase with adjectives describing 'Flinte' (rifle), with commas separating descriptive adjectives

  ➔ The adjectives 'große' (big/large) and 'lange' (long) describe the noun 'Flinte' (rifle), and are separated by commas for clarity

• Schießt auf dich den Schrot

  ➔ Verb 'schießt' (shoots) + preposition 'auf' (at) + accusative pronoun 'dich' (you) + accusative noun 'den Schrot' (the shot / pellets)

  ➔ 'schießt' is the third person singular form of 'schießen' (to shoot), 'auf' indicates the direction 'at', 'dich' is the accusative form of 'you', and 'den Schrot' is the direct object meaning the shot or pellets