German word

Alphabet

Pronunciation

IPA/alfaˈbeːt/

Meaning

  • neuter nounalphabet

Example

Ich lerne das Alphabet.

I'm learning the alphabet.

Illustration for Alphabet (alphabet)

More examples

Viele Sprachen verwenden das lateinische Alphabet.

Many languages use the Latin alphabet.

Core concept

A complete sequence of symbols arranged from its first letter to its last, providing the basic pieces for written language.

Common phrases

  • lateinisches Alphabet

    Latin alphabet

  • die Buchstaben des Alphabets nennen

    name the letters of the alphabet

  • das Alphabet einer Sprache kennen

    know the alphabet of a language

Similar words

Buchstabe: One written character used to represent a sound or symbol.
ABC: A familiar term for the complete set of letters, especially in teaching.
Buchstabieralphabet: A standardized set of words used to communicate letters when spelling aloud.

Definition in German

Die Gesamtheit der Buchstaben, die zur Darstellung von Lauten und Wörtern in einer Sprache verwendet wird.

Word origin

Alphabet entered German from Latin alphabetum, which was borrowed from Greek alphabētos, a name based on the first two Greek letters, alpha and beta.

Usage tips

  • The phrase nach dem Alphabet means in alphabetical order, and nach takes the dative in this expression.

Related words

  • Alphabetsystemalphabet systemnoun
  • alphabetischalphabeticaladjective

Word lists with this word