Käfig

Käfig is a German noun meaning cage or enclosure. It denotes a structure, typically made of bars or wires, used to confine living creatures such as birds, small animals, or other items that need to be contained. The term is used for pet cages, aviaries, transport crates, and similar enclosures, as well as for devices that restrict movement in various settings, such as laboratories or farms. In everyday language, Käfig can also be used metaphorically to describe a place or situation of confinement.

Etymology and grammar: The word Käfig originates in German, with attestations dating back to the medieval period. Its exact linguistic roots are uncertain, but it is a native German term that forms the standard vocabulary for confinement enclosures. The standard plural is Käfige, and the possessive form is des Käfigs.

Usage and contexts: Käfig appears across a range of contexts. In domestic settings, it refers to cages for pets and birds. In agriculture or veterinary work, it designates confinement structures used for transport or housing. In contemporary media and sports journalism, Käfig is often encountered in phrases like im Käfig to describe events or actions that take place inside a confined fighting arena, particularly in reference to mixed martial arts. The term also appears in cultural works—films, books, or songs—where themes of restriction or captivity are central, though such uses are variable and depend on the specific title.

See also: Cage (English), confinement, aviary.