German word

Ziel

Pronunciation

IPA/tsiːl/

Meaning

  • neuter noungoal

Example

Unsere Ziele sind klar.

Our goals are clear.

Illustration for Ziel (goal)

More examples

Nach zwei Stunden waren wir endlich am Ziel.

After two hours, we were finally at the destination.

Core concept

A marked point toward which movement or deliberate action is directed.

Common phrases

  • am Ziel sein

    be at the destination

  • zum Ziel führen

    lead to the goal

Similar words

Zweck: The purpose or aim behind an action or thing.
Absicht: A person's intention to carry out a particular action.
Plan: A sequence of steps decided on to reach a goal.
Ergebnis: The outcome produced by an action or event.

Definition in German

Ein Ziel ist ein klar definierter Endpunkt, den man durch Handlung oder Strecke erreichen will.

Word origin

Ziel is an inherited Germanic noun, recorded as Old High German zil and Middle High German zil, with the older sense of a target or mark.

Usage tips

  • Ziel is neuter, so the basic forms are das Ziel and die Ziele, with an umlaut in the plural.

Other meanings

  • purposenoun
  • destinationnoun
  • endpointnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Zielortdestinationnoun
  • zielstrebiggoal-orientedadjective

Word lists with this word