German word

Stift

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃtɪft/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpen

Example

Ich suche meinen Stift.

I'm looking for my pen.

Illustration for Stift (pen)

More examples

Hast du einen Stift zur Hand?

Have you got a pen handy?

Core concept

A small handheld tool whose narrow point or lead leaves a visible line on paper.

Common phrases

  • einen Stift brauchen

    need a pen

  • einen Stift zur Hand haben

    have a pen handy

  • keinen Stift dabeihaben

    carry no pen with you

Similar words

Kuli: An everyday ballpoint pen with a small rolling tip for writing in ink.
Kugelschreiber: A ballpoint pen whose small rolling ball transfers ink onto paper.
Bleistift: A pencil with a graphite core for writing or drawing on paper.
Füller: A fountain pen that writes smoothly through an ink-fed metal nib.

Definition in German

Ein Schreibgerät, das mit einer Spitze oder Mine Linien auf Papier zieht und sowohl Kugelschreiber als auch Bleistift umfassen kann.

Word origin

Stift descends from Middle High German stift, originally referring to a pointed rod or peg, with the writing-tool sense developing from its shape and use.

Usage tips

  • Stift is masculine, so suchen takes einen Stift, and its plural is Stifte.

Other meanings

  • pencilnoun

Related words

  • Bleistiftlead pencilnoun
  • Stiftsetset of pensnoun

Word lists with this word