German word

Puppe

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈpʊpə/

Meaning

  • feminine noundoll

Example

Ich spiele mit meiner Puppe.

I'm playing with my doll.

Illustration for Puppe (doll)

More examples

Viele Kinder reden mit ihrer Puppe.

Many children speak to their doll.

Core concept

A small human-shaped figure can be played with, displayed, or moved in a performance, while the same word also names an insect's pupal stage.

Common phrases

  • mit der Puppe sprechen

    speak to the doll

  • eine Puppe reparieren

    repair a doll

Similar words

Spielzeug: An object made for children to play with.
Handpuppe: A puppet moved by placing a hand inside it.
Marionette: A stage puppet controlled from outside by strings or rods.
Figur: A small three-dimensional figure made for display or collecting.

Definition in German

Eine aus Stoff, Holz oder Kunststoff gefertigte Figur in Menschenform, die als Spielzeug, Sammlerstück oder Dekoration dient.

Word origin

German Puppe comes through French poupée from Latin pupa, a word for a doll or girl; English puppet and pupa share the same Latin source.

Usage tips

  • Puppe is feminine, so the example uses dative meiner after mit: mit meiner Puppe.

Other meanings

  • puppetnoun
  • pupanoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Puppenmacherdoll makernoun
  • Puppenspielpuppet shownoun

Word lists with this word