How to Say "Arrow" in German - How To Say Guide

Pfeil

/pfaɪ̯l/masculine

The German word for arrow is Pfeil.

The most common and standard term for arrow in German is Pfeil.

Meaning: symbol (noun)

How does it change in a sentence?

Pfeil is a masculine noun. The plural form is Pfeile. In the genitive case, the masculine noun Pfeil takes the ending -s to become des Pfeils.

/pfaɪ̯l/

A person can be described as having a 'Pfeil im Knie' (an arrow in the knee), which is a humorous cultural reference to a famous video game line.
The German word Pfeil shares its distant roots with the English word 'pile', which refers to a long vertical post or column.
In German, the phrase den Pfeil auf etwas richten means to focus one's attention or criticism on a specific target, even if no physical weapon is involved.

Gib mir den Pfeil.
Give me the arrow.
This sentence is useful for requesting the Pfeil.
Tatoeba #6088905 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6088871 by mailohilohi
Der Pfeil traf das Ziel.
The arrow hit the target.
This sentence is useful for describing how the Pfeil hit a target.
Tatoeba #673341 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #324144 by CK
Ein Pfeil traf mein Knie.
I took an arrow in the knee.
This sentence is useful for describing an instance where a Pfeil hit a knee.
Tatoeba #1346238 by al_ex_an_der, translation #1346020 by Spamster
Der Pfeil zeigt nach rechts
The arrow points to the right.
Siehst du den Pfeil auf dem Schild?
Do you see the arrow on the sign?
Der Pfeil auf der Karte zeigt nach Norden.
The arrow on the map points north.
33 more sentences on Tatoeba

Hannah and Maximilian are looking at a signpost in a park.

Sources

Wiktionary, “arrow” translations and entries Pfeil, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries Pfeil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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