German word

Funke

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfʊŋkə/

Meaning

  • masculine nounspark

Example

Der Funke sprang sofort über.

The spark immediately caught on.

Illustration for Funke (spark)

More examples

Selbst ein Funke Optimismus reichte, um das Team weiterarbeiten zu lassen.

Even a spark of optimism was enough to let the team continue working.

Core concept

A tiny glowing ember leaps from a fire and can kindle a larger flame or a sudden feeling.

Common phrases

  • ein Funke Optimismus

    a spark of optimism

  • ein Funke Neugier

    a spark of curiosity

  • der Funke der Freundschaft

    the spark of friendship

Similar words

Flamme: A bright, powerful part of a fire that rises visibly.
Glut: Material left glowing red and hot after the flames have died down.
Funken: A group of tiny burning particles that briefly flash through the air.

Definition in German

Ein kleines, kurz glimmendes Stückchen Materie, das beim Brennen, durch Schlag oder Reibung entsteht; bildlich ein erster, kurzer Anstoß von Interesse oder Hoffnung.

Word origin

Funke is an inherited Germanic noun, attested as Old High German funko and Middle High German vunke, originally denoting a burning particle.

Usage tips

  • Funke is masculine, with the plural Funken, and its common figurative use remains countable, as in ein Funke Hoffnung.

Opposites

  • Apathieapathynoun
  • Gleichgültigkeitindifferencenoun

Related words

  • funkensparkverb
  • Funkenflugshower of sparksnoun
  • Funkelnsparklenoun

Word lists with this word