Flugzeug
/ˈfluːkt͡sɔʏ̯k/neuter
The German word for airplane is Flugzeug. Wiktionary also lists Flieger and Maschine.
Meaning: powered aircraft (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Flugzeug | /ˈfluːkt͡sɔʏ̯k/ (Standard) | neuter |
| Flieger | /ˈfliːɡɐ/ | colloquial, masculine |
| Maschine | /maˈʃiːnə/ (Germany) /maˈʃiːnɛ/ (Austria, Southern Germany, Switzerland) |
feminine, informal |
The term is used to refer to a powered aircraft.
What does it mean word for word?
Flugzeug is a compound of Flug (flight) and Zeug (thing/tool/stuff).
Which one should you use?
While Flugzeug is the standard, neutral term for any airplane, Flieger is a more colloquial, shortened term. In an aviation context, Maschine is used informally to refer to the aircraft itself.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Flieger is a colloquial option, while Maschine is an informal way to refer to the aircraft. For a formal way to say airplane, you can use Luftfahrzeug.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the neuter noun Flugzeug is Flugzeuge.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfluːktsɔʏ̯k/
Did you know?
- The component Zeug in Flugzeug refers to a 'tool' or 'equipment', but in modern German, it is also the common word for 'stuff' or 'things' in a messy sense.
- German uses a specific compound noun Flugzeugträger for an aircraft carrier, literally meaning a 'flight-tool-carrier'.
- The word Flieger can refer to the airplane itself or to the person flying it, such as a pilot.
Examples in context
- Ich sah ein Flugzeug.I saw an airplane.This sentence shows how to use Flugzeug to say you saw an airplane.Tatoeba #1341006 by Zaghawa, translation #1399570 by MrShoval
- Tom bestieg das Flugzeug.Tom got on the airplane.This sentence shows how to use Flugzeug to say someone got on the airplane.Tatoeba #3760457 by Jens_Odo, translation #2545813 by CK
- Das Flugzeug steht bereit.The airplane is ready.This sentence shows how to use Flugzeug to say the airplane is ready.Tatoeba #7478705 by Yorwba, translation #2685512 by fekundulo
- Das Flugzeug fliegt heute nach Berlin.The airplane is flying to Berlin today.
- Die Luftfahrzeuge sind streng kontrolliert.The airplanes are strictly regulated.
- Hast du schon mal in einem Flieger gesessen?Have you ever been in an airplane?
- 66 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Laura are at the airport looking for their gate.
- FelixWo ist unser Flugzeug?Where is our airplane?
- LauraEs steht an Gate B12.It is at Gate B12.
- FelixIch liebe es, im Flugzeug zu sitzen.I love sitting in an airplane.
- LauraIch auch, Felix!Me too, Felix!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “airplane” translations and entries Flugzeug, Flieger, Maschine, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
