German word

Pilot

Pronunciation

IPA/piˈloːt/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpilot

Example

Ich kenne keinen Piloten.

I don't know any pilots.

Illustration for Pilot (pilot)

More examples

Ich habe kurz mit dem Pilot gesprochen, bevor wir starteten.

I spoke briefly with the pilot before we took off.

Core concept

The cockpit operator turns instruments and controls into the directed movement of an aircraft.

Common phrases

  • mit dem Pilot sprechen

    speak with the pilot

  • der Pilot im Cockpit

    the pilot in the cockpit

  • Pilot und Crew

    pilot and crew

Similar words

Flugkapitän: An airline captain responsible for the entire flight and its final decisions.
Copilot: A pilot who assists the captain and can take over control when needed.
Pilotin: A female professional who operates an aircraft as a pilot.

Definition in German

Jemand, der beruflich ein Flugzeug lenkt und dafür eine spezielle Ausbildung besitzt.

Word origin

German Pilot is a borrowing from French pilote, which came from Italian pilota and has roots in an older word for a person who steers.

Usage tips

  • Pilot normally names an aircraft operator, while Kapitän means captain and Flugkapitän specifies an airline captain.

Other meanings

  • captainnoun

Opposites

  • Fluggastpassengernoun

Related words

  • Pilotenscheinpilot's licensenoun
  • pilotierenpilotverb

Word lists with this word