German word

Holz

Pronunciation

IPA/hɔlts/

Meaning

  • neuter nounwood

Example

Für den Bau brauchen wir gute Hölzer.

For construction, we need good wood.

Illustration for Holz (wood)

More examples

Wir kaufen Holz für den Winter.

We buy wood for the winter.

Core concept

A tree transformed into solid boards, beams, and logs, ready to shape into buildings or furniture or feed a fire.

Common phrases

  • aus Holz

    made of wood

  • auf Holz klopfen

    knock on wood

  • Holz kaufen

    buy wood

Similar words

Baum: A living plant rooted in the ground, with a trunk and branches.
Möbel: Useful objects placed in rooms, such as tables and chairs.
Brett: A thin, flat section of wood cut from a tree.

Definition in German

Fester pflanzlicher Werkstoff aus Bäumen, der zum Bauen, für Möbel oder als Brennstoff genutzt wird.

Word origin

Holz continues Old High German holz and Proto-Germanic *hultą, whose earlier sense covered wood or a wooded area.

Usage tips

  • Holz usually behaves as a mass noun, while Hölzer can refer to individual pieces, kinds of wood, or timber products.

Related words

  • hölzernwoodenadjective
  • Brennholzfirewoodnoun

Word lists with this word