"Der Großvater isst den Vogel."

Translation: The grandfather eats the bird.

[jamaicarose2]

The bird could easily be a chicken or duck or turkey. If he eats it all by himself perhaps it is a Cornish hen or a quail. I had this exercise as one of the hearing ones where you have to write down in German what they are saying. At first I thought she said "Der Großvater IST den Vogel." (the grandfather IS the bird). I thought it was another crazy duolingo sentence. But then realized it would be "der Vogel" in that case. Remembering my grammar helps.

[faria27]

Why doesn't "den" translate to "this" here? How would you say "The grandfather eats this bird"?

[Gea71]

Den means the. Der Großvater isst den Vogel.

[Gea71]

Oh sorry, that wasn't your question. Der Großvater isst diesen Vogel.

[faria27]

Ok, thank you. But when does "den" mean "this"?

[Gea71]

I don't think 'den' ever means 'this'. What makes you ask this?

[faria27]

When I hover my mouse over "den", one of the options is "this". =/