German word

Pfeil

Pronunciation

IPA/pfaɪ̯l/

Meaning

  • masculine nounarrow

Example

Die Kinder finden viele Pfeile im Wald.

The children find many arrows in the forest.

Illustration for Pfeil (arrow)

More examples

Beim Bogenschießen verlor er einen Pfeil.

While practicing archery, he lost an arrow.

Core concept

A narrow point leads a straight line toward a destination, whether the object is shot from a bow or drawn as a directional mark.

Common phrases

  • einen Pfeil abschießen

    shoot an arrow

  • einen Pfeil aus dem Köcher nehmen

    take an arrow out of the quiver

Similar words

Speer: A long-shafted weapon with a pointed end, thrown or used for thrusting.
Bolzen: A short, thick projectile fired from a crossbow.
Geschoss: A fast-moving projectile fired from a gun or cannon.

Definition in German

Ein spitzer Gegenstand, der mit einem Bogen abgeschossen wird, um ein Ziel zu treffen.

Word origin

The German noun Pfeil developed from Old High German pfīl, borrowed from Latin pilum, and its meaning extends from a projectile to a directional symbol.

Usage tips

  • German commonly uses Pfeil for interface arrows as well as physical arrows, often in compounds such as Pfeiltaste for an arrow key.

Related words

  • Pfeilspitzearrowheadnoun
  • pfeilschnellswift as an arrowadjective

Word lists with this word