German word

Geige

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈgaɪ̯gə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounviolin

Example

Auf dem Flohmarkt habe ich zwei Geigen gesehen.

I saw two violins at the flea market.

Illustration for Geige (violin)

More examples

Im Proberaum übt er täglich die Geige.

In the rehearsal room, he practices the violin every day.

Core concept

A compact wooden instrument held under the chin, with four strings played by drawing a bow across them.

Common phrases

  • Geige spielen

    play the violin

  • Geige üben

    practice the violin

  • eine Geige kaufen

    buy a violin

Similar words

Violine: A formal term for a four-stringed bowed instrument used in concerts.
Fiedel: An affectionate folk term for a violin used in casual speech.
Bratsche: A four-stringed bowed instrument with a moderately low register.
Cello: A large four-stringed instrument with a low register, commonly played seated.

Definition in German

Geige ist ein kleines Streichinstrument (Violine) mit vier Saiten, das mit dem Bogen gespielt wird.

Word origin

Geige continues Middle High German gîge and Old High German gīga, historical names for a bowed string instrument.

Usage tips

  • Geige is feminine, so the example form is die Geige and the plural is die Geigen.

Other meanings

  • fiddlenoun

Related words

  • Geigerviolinistnoun
  • geigenplay the violinverb
  • Geigenbauerviolin makernoun

Word lists with this word