German word

Teufel

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtɔɪ̯fl̩/

Meaning

  • masculine noundevil

Example

Man spricht vom Teufel.

People are talking about the devil.

Illustration for Teufel (devil)

More examples

Viele verdächtigen ihn, mit dem Teufel im Bunde zu sein.

Many suspect him of being in league with the devil.

Core concept

A hostile figure lurking behind temptation, misfortune, or a dangerous scheme.

Common phrases

  • mit dem Teufel im Bunde sein

    be in league with the devil

  • den Teufel an die Wand malen

    paint the devil on the wall

  • jemanden zum Teufel schicken

    send ___ to hell

Similar words

Dämon: A spirit believed to cause anxiety and troubling impulses from within.
Satan: A religious proper name for the embodiment of absolute evil.
Teufelskreis: A self-reinforcing cycle in which bad events or habits grow worse.

Definition in German

In religiöser Vorstellung ein böser Geist oder Satan; im Alltag auch bildlich für heimtückische oder gefährliche Dinge verwendet.

Word origin

German Teufel comes through Old High German tiuval and Middle High German tievel from Latin diabolus, ultimately from Greek diabolos.

Usage tips

  • Teufel is masculine: der Teufel, den Teufel, and the plural die Teufel, with no plural ending.

Opposites

  • Engelangelnoun
  • Heiligersaintnoun

Related words

  • Teufelskreisvicious circlenoun
  • teuflischdevilishadjective
  • Teufelspaktpact with the devilnoun

Word lists with this word