German word

Seife

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈzaɪ̯fə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounsoap

Example

Wir haben keine Seife mehr.

We don't have any soap left.

Illustration for Seife (soap)

More examples

Er nahm ein Stück Seife und schäumte seine Hände ein.

He took a piece of soap and lathered his hands.

Core concept

A bar or liquid cleanser used to remove dirt from skin or objects.

Common phrases

  • ein Stück Seife

    a piece of soap

  • flüssige Seife

    liquid soap

  • mit Seife waschen

    wash using soap

Similar words

Flüssigseife: Soap in liquid form, usually dispensed from a bottle or pump.
Seifenspender: A container or device for releasing liquid soap.
Handseife: Soap kept for washing the hands.
Duschgel: A liquid or gel cleanser for washing the body while showering.

Definition in German

Ein festes oder flüssiges Reinigungsmittel zum Waschen der Haut oder von Gegenständen.

Word origin

The German noun developed from Old High German "seifa", which goes back to a Germanic word borrowed from the Latin term "sapo" for soap.

Usage tips

  • German can use "eine Seife" for a particular bar or soap product, while uncountable English "soap" often needs an added noun such as "a bar of soap".

Opposites

Related words

  • Seifenspendersoap dispensernoun
  • seifigsoap-likeadjective

Word lists with this word