Pferch

German

Etymology

From Middle High German pferrich, from Old High German pherrich (“fence, enclosure”), possibly from Proto-Germanic *parrikaz (“fence, enclosure”), derived from *parr- (“stake, bar, bolt, beam, fence-post”). According to another theory from early Medieval Latin parricus, of uncertain origin. At any rate akin to Old English pearruc (“enclosure, paddock, fence”), Old Norse parrak (“enclosure, pond”), Old French parc. German Park is a doublet. See English park and paddock for more.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /fɛrç/, [fɛrç], [fɛɐ̯ç] (northern Germany, central Germany)
IPA^(key): /pfɛrç/, [pfɛrç], [pfɛɐ̯ç], [pfɛrx] (southern dialects)
Audio (file)

Noun

Pferch m (genitive Pferchs or Pferches, plural Pferche)

(for animals) a fold, a pen
a small plot of land surrounded by a portable fence

Declension

Declension of Pferch

	singular			plural
	indef.	def.	noun	def.	noun
nominative	ein	der	Pferch	die	Pferche
genitive	eines	des	Pferches, Pferchs	der	Pferche
dative	einem	dem	Pferch, Pferche¹	den	Pferchen
accusative	einen	den	Pferch	die	Pferche