Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dudelsack | /ˈduːdəlˌzak/ | masculine |
| Sackpfeife | /ˈzakˌp͡faɪ̯fə/ | feminine |
Both terms refer to the musical wind instrument. If you want to refer to a bagpipe player, use Dudelsackspieler and if you are discussing the music itself, use Dudelsackmusik.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Sackpfeife is a compound noun consisting of Sack, meaning bag and Pfeife, meaning pipe or whistle.
Which one should you use?
Dudelsack is the more common term used in everyday German. Sackpfeife is often used in more technical or formal musical contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Austrian German, you might encounter the term Sackpfeife. In Swiss-German speaking regions, bagpipes are referred to as Säckpipä.
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing the activity of playing the instrument as a noun or gerund, the words can be combined into the single noun Dudelsackspielen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈduːdəlˌzak/
Did you know?
- In a figurative sense, calling someone a Sackpfeife is a mild but insulting way to describe them as an incompetent or useless person.
- The first part of Dudelsack, the word dudeln, originally meant to play music in a repetitive, monotone way. It is believed to have been borrowed from Slavic languages like Czech or Polish.
- The word dudeln is used today to describe playing an instrument in a casual or aimless way, regardless of whether bagpipes are being used.
Examples in context
- Er spielt Dudelsack und trägt einen Kilt.He plays bagpipes and wears a kilt.This sentence shows someone playing the instrument while wearing a kilt.Tatoeba #2488979 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2486560 by Hybrid
- Kannst du mir Dudelsackspielen beibringen?Can you teach me how to play the bagpipes?This sentence uses the term to ask about learning the activity.Tatoeba #2911860 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2229693 by CM
- Glaubst du, dass du mir beibringen könntest, Dudelsack zu spielen?Do you think you could teach me to play the bagpipes?This sentence is another way to ask about being taught how to play the instrument.Tatoeba #2051073 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2050692 by CK
- Die typischen Dudelsackklänge erinnern mich immer an Schottland.The typical bagpipe sounds always remind me of Scotland.
- Wo kann ich einen traditionellen Dudelsack kaufen?Where can I buy a traditional bagpipe?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a souvenir shop in Scotland.
- LauraIst das ein Dudelsack?Is that a bagpipe?
- FelixJa, er ist aus Holz.Yes, it is made of wood.
- LauraDer Dudelsack sieht sehr alt aus.The bagpipe looks very old.
- FelixEr ist ein echtes Sammlerstück.It is a real collector's item.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bagpipes” translations and entries Dudelsack, Sackpfeife, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Dudelsack, Sackpfeife, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
