German word

Pfiff

Pronunciation

IPA/pfɪf/

Meaning

  • masculine nounwhistle

Example

Der Pfiff des Schiedsrichters beendete das Spiel.

The referee's whistle ended the game.

Illustration for Pfiff (whistle)

More examples

Das neue Stück hat wirklich Pfiff.

The new piece really has a twist.

Core concept

A brief, sharp whistle that adds a spark of cleverness and lively energy.

Common phrases

  • ein Lied mit Pfiff

    a song with a twist

  • keinen Pfiff haben

    have no pep

  • voller Pfiff

    full of pep

Similar words

Pfeifton: A high, piercing whistling tone from the mouth or a whistle.
Pfiffigkeit: The ability to respond cleverly and handle situations resourcefully.
Witz: A humorous or impressive expression with a clever twist.
Schwung: Vigorous drive and lively force in movement, speech, or activity.

Definition in German

Kurzer, pfeifender Ton; im übertragenen Sinn eine flinke, einfallsreiche oder lebhafte Wirkung oder Eigenschaft.

Word origin

Pfiff is formed from the German verb pfeifen, 'to whistle', and first referred to a whistling sound before extending to a clever or lively quality.

Usage tips

  • Pfiff is masculine, with the plural Pfiffe, so the forms are der Pfiff and die Pfiffe.

Other meanings

  • signalnoun
  • pepnoun
  • ingenuitynoun

Opposites

  • Langeweileboredomnoun
  • Einfältigkeitlack of witnoun

Related words

  • Pfiffigkeitingenuitynoun
  • pfiffigcleveradjective

Word lists with this word