Büffel
/ˈbʏfəl/masculine
The English word "buffalo" can be translated into German as Büffel or Wisent.
Meaning: bovid of the Bubalina subtribe (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Büffel | /ˈbʏfəl/ | masculine |
| Wisent | /ˈviːzɛnt/ | neuter |
The term is used to refer to a bovid of the Bubalina subtribe.
Which one should you use?
Büffel is a general term for buffalo, whereas Wisent specifically refers to the European bison.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word Büffel is a masculine noun. Its plural form is identical to its singular form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbʏfəl/
Did you know?
- In German, the phrase büffeln is a common slang verb meaning to study intensely or 'cram' for an exam. It evokes the image of a Büffel working hard and plodding through a difficult task.
- The German term Wisent is a linguistic revival from the 19th century, used to bring back an older Middle High German word.
- The German word Büffel shares a common ancestor with the English word 'ox' via the Ancient Greek word boûs.
Examples in context
- Ist das eine Kuh oder ein Büffel?Is that a cow or a buffalo?This sentence is useful for distinguishing a buffalo from a cow.Tatoeba #12512769 by mayabe, translation #67077 by CK
- Er wurde schwierig, Büffel zu finden.It became difficult to find buffalo.This sentence is useful for describing the difficulty of locating buffalo.Tatoeba #1490422 by al_ex_an_der, translation #807256 by Source_VOA
- Sie folgten dem Büffel über die Prärie.They followed the buffalo across the plains.This sentence is useful for describing following a buffalo across the plains.Tatoeba #1719783 by Esperantostern, translation #802567 by Source_VOA
- Der Büffel ist ein imposantes Tier.The buffalo is an impressive animal.
- Wasserbüffel leben hauptsächlich in Südostasien.Water buffaloes mainly live in Southeast Asia.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Hannah are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- FelixSiehst du den großen Büffel dort?Do you see the large buffalo over there?
- HannahJa, er sieht sehr beeindruckend aus.Yes, he looks very impressive.
- FelixIch mag diesen Büffel wirklich.I really like this buffalo.
- HannahEr ist wirklich ein mächtiges Tier.He is truly a powerful animal.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “buffalo” translations and entries Büffel, Wisent, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Büffel, Wisent, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
