German word

Insel

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɪnzl̩/

Meaning

  • feminine nounisland

Example

Wir verbringen den Sommer auf einer Insel.

We spend the summer on an island.

Illustration for Insel (island)

More examples

Auf der Insel gibt es schöne Strände.

There are beautiful beaches on the island.

Core concept

Land separated from a larger landmass by water, from a tiny islet to a large island.

Common phrases

  • Urlaub auf einer Insel machen

    take a vacation on an island

  • auf der Insel übernachten

    spend the night on the island

  • auf der Insel spazieren gehen

    take a walk on the island

Similar words

Halbinsel: A landform surrounded by water on three sides and joined to the mainland.
Eiland: A small, sometimes inhabited island.

Definition in German

Vom Wasser umschlossene Landfläche, die räumlich vom Festland getrennt liegt.

Word origin

The German noun Insel developed from Latin insula through the historical forms insila and insel.

Usage tips

  • The plural is Inseln, not Inseler, and the noun remains capitalized because all German nouns are capitalized.

Opposites

Related words

  • Inselbewohnerisland dwellernoun
  • Inselchenisletnoun
  • Inselgruppegroup of islandsnoun

Word lists with this word