Korkenzieher
masculine
The German word for corkscrew is Korkenzieher.
Korkenzieher refers to an implement used for opening bottles that are sealed with a cork.
Meaning: implement for opening bottles sealed by a cork (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of Kork, meaning cork and Zieher, meaning puller or drawer.
How does it change in a sentence?
Korkenzieher is a masculine noun. The plural form remains the same as the singular form. Because it is masculine, it takes the accusative ending -en when used as a direct object, such as in the phrase einen Korkenzieher.
Did you know?
- The term Korkenzieher is sometimes used metaphorically in German to describe a very winding road or a spiral staircase.
- The word Kork is a loanword from the Portuguese word 'cortiça', which entered German via French.
- Because the word Zieher can also mean 'someone who draws' or 'a drawer', the word Korkenzieher could technically describe a person who pulls corks.
Examples in context
- Hat jemand hier einen Korkenzieher?Does anybody here have a corkscrew?This sentence is useful for asking if anyone has a Korkenzieher.Tatoeba #1841954 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1841721 by CK
- Hast du einen Korkenzieher, den ich benutzen könnte?Do you have a corkscrew that I could use?This sentence is useful for asking to use someone's Korkenzieher.Tatoeba #12522324 by Waldelfe, translation #10722632 by CK
- Hast Du einen Korkenzieher, um die Flasche zu öffnen?Do you have a corkscrew to open the bottle?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a Korkenzieher specifically to open a bottle.Tatoeba #9964681 by giefingl, translation #11227652 by sundown
- Kannst du mir bitte den Korkenzieher geben?Can you please give me the corkscrew?
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Lukas are preparing dinner in the kitchen.
- JuliaLukas, wo ist der Korkenzieher?Lukas, where is the corkscrew?
- LukasIch glaube, der Korkenzieher liegt in der Schublade.I think the corkscrew is in the drawer.
- JuliaHier ist er nicht!It is not here!
- LukasOh, ich habe den Korkenzieher im Wohnzimmer gelassen.Oh, I left the corkscrew in the living room.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “corkscrew” translations and entries Korkenzieher, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
