Animals in Dutch
Animal names are fun, memorable vocabulary — and Dutch has some delightfully literal ones (a raccoon is a 'wash-bear'). Here's the complete list.
De dieren
Animal vocabulary is great early Dutch — easy to picture, fun to say, and useful with kids and pets.
Pets & farm animals
Huisdieren & boerderijdieren.
| Dutch | English | Dutch | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| de hond | dog | de koe | cow |
| de kat / poes | cat | het paard | horse |
| het konijn | rabbit | het varken | pig |
| de vis | fish | de kip | chicken |
| de vogel | bird | het schaap | sheep |
Wild animals & fun names
Wilde dieren.
| Dutch | Literally / English |
|---|---|
| de wasbeer | wash-bear = raccoon |
| het stekelvarken | sting-pig = porcupine |
| het nijlpaard | Nile-horse = hippo |
| de ijsbeer | ice-bear = polar bear |
| de vleermuis | flutter-mouse = bat |
| het eekhoorn | squirrel |
Why animal words are easy to learn
Many Dutch animal names are literal compounds that paint a picture: a raccoon washes its food, so it’s a wasbeer (wash-bear); a bat flutters like a mouse, so it’s a vleermuis (flutter-mouse). Once you spot the logic, they stick instantly. Great vocabulary to learn with children or while watching Dutch nature shows.
Build fun Dutch vocabulary
Dutch Daily teaches themed vocabulary in context with spaced repetition. Free to start.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How do you say common animals in Dutch?
hond (dog), kat/poes (cat), vogel (bird), vis (fish), paard (horse), koe (cow), kip (chicken), konijn (rabbit).
Why are Dutch animal names so literal?
Dutch builds compound words, so many animals are described by what they do: wasbeer (wash-bear = raccoon), vleermuis (flutter-mouse = bat), nijlpaard (Nile-horse = hippo).
What's the Dutch word for raccoon?
'Wasbeer' — literally 'wash-bear', because raccoons appear to wash their food. It's one of the most charming literal Dutch animal names.