German word

Saxofon

Pronunciation

IPA/zaksoˈfoːn/

Meaning

  • neuter nounsaxophone

Example

Ich habe zwei Saxofone gekauft.

I bought two saxophones.

Illustration for Saxofon (saxophone)

More examples

Ich übe jeden Abend auf dem Saxofon, um mein Timing zu verbessern.

I practice on the saxophone every evening to improve my timing.

Core concept

A shining, curved wind instrument whose reed-driven voice can move from deep and warm to sharp and lively.

Common phrases

  • Saxofon spielen

    play the saxophone

  • auf dem Saxofon üben

    practice on the saxophone

  • ein Saxofon kaufen

    buy a saxophone

Similar words

Saxophon: The saxophone spelling preferred in written German.
Sax: A casual shortened term for a saxophone.

Definition in German

Ein Holzblasinstrument aus Metall, das mit einem einzelnen Rohrblatt gespielt wird und viele Klangfarben vom tiefen bis zum hohen Register bietet.

Word origin

The word was coined in French from the instrument maker Adolphe Sax's surname and Greek phone, meaning sound, then borrowed into German.

Usage tips

  • Saxofon is neuter, so the phrase is das Saxofon; the shorter form Sax is also common in informal German.

Related words

  • Saxofonistsaxophonistnoun
  • Saxofonspielsaxophone playingnoun

Word lists with this word