Harn

See also: harn

German

Etymology

From Old High German harn, of unclear origin. Despite some claims, Max Wheeler writes a connection with Basque gernu (“urine”) (probably via an Old European root, esp. a Vasconic substrate) is "out of the question".[1]

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /harn/, [haʁn], [haɐ̯n], [haːn]
  • Audio(file)
  • Homophones: Hahn (some speakers), Haaren, harren (casual speech)

Noun

Harn m (strong, genitive Harns or Harnes, plural Harne)

  1. (higher register, rare) urine
    Synonyms: (usual formal word) Urin, (familiar) Pipi, (coarse) Pisse

Usage notes
  • Now used chiefly in several medical compounds. Otherwise it is highly formal and rare.
  • Outside of a scientific-medical context, Harn is more often used for animals than humans.

Declension
Declension of Harn [masculine, strong]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Harn die Harne
genitive eines des Harns, Harnes der Harne
dative einem dem Harn, Harne1 den Harnen
accusative einen den Harn die Harne

1Now uncommon, see notes.

References
  1. (Can we date this quote?), Max Wheeler, “Etymological Dictionary of Basque, by R. L. Trask, edited for web publication by Max W. Wheeler”, in academia.edu, page 203:

Further reading
  • “Harn” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
  • “Harn” in Uni Leipzig: Wortschatz-Lexikon
  • “Harn” in Duden online
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