German word

Helikopter

Pronunciation

IPA/heliˈkɔptɐ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhelicopter

Example

Wir sehen einen Helikopter am Himmel.

We see a helicopter in the sky.

Illustration for Helikopter (helicopter)

More examples

Nach dem Unfall kam ein Helikopter zur Rettung.

After the accident, a helicopter came to the rescue.

Core concept

A cabin rises and settles vertically while a large rotor keeps it suspended over one spot.

Common phrases

  • einen Helikopter rufen

    call a helicopter

  • ein Foto vom Helikopter machen

    take a photo of the helicopter

  • mit dem Helikopter landen

    land by helicopter

Similar words

Hubschrauber: An aircraft that uses a rotating rotor for lift and can take off and land vertically.
Flugzeug: A fixed-wing aircraft that flies forward as air flowing over its wings creates lift.
Drohne: A small unmanned aircraft flown remotely or autonomously without a pilot on board.
Heli: A short, common colloquial term for a helicopter.

Definition in German

Ein Fluggerät, das durch sich drehende Rotorblätter Auftrieb erzeugt und senkrecht starten, landen sowie in der Luft schweben kann.

Word origin

The international word Helikopter comes through French hélicoptère from Greek helix, meaning spiral, and pteron, meaning wing.

Usage tips

  • Hubschrauber is the common German synonym, while Heli is a frequent colloquial shortening of Helikopter.

Related words

  • Helikopterpilothelicopter pilotnoun
  • Helikopterlandeplatzhelicopter landing sitenoun
  • Helikopterrettunghelicopter rescuenoun

Word lists with this word