German word

pfeifen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈpfaɪ̯fən/

Meaning

  • verbwhistle

Example

Ich pfeife jeden Morgen.

I whistle every morning.

Illustration for pfeifen (whistle)

More examples

Er pfeift eine einfache Melodie beim Spazieren.

He whistles a simple melody while walking.

Core concept

Lips shape moving air into a sharp note, whether the sound comes from the mouth or a small whistle.

Common phrases

  • eine Melodie pfeifen

    whistle a melody

  • vor sich hin pfeifen

    whistle to oneself

Similar words

blasen: Blow air forcefully through the mouth or into an instrument to produce sound.
pusten: Blow short, strong breaths at a flame to put it out.
summen: Produce a low, continuous sound with the mouth closed.

Definition in German

Luft mit dem Mund so formen und ausstoßen, dass ein pfeifender Ton entsteht.

Word origin

The modern verb developed from the older German forms pfīfan and pfîfen, which belong to the inherited Germanic vocabulary.

Usage tips

  • In auf etwas pfeifen, auf takes the accusative and the phrase means to disregard something, not to whistle at it.

Other meanings

  • blow a whistleverb
  • hissverb

Opposites

Related words

  • die Pfeifewhistlenoun
  • das Pfeifenwhistlingnoun
  • pfeifendwhistlingadjective

Word lists with this word