Delfin
masculine, alternative form
The English word "dolphin" is translated into German as Delfin or Delphin.
Meaning: aquatic mammal (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Delfin | masculine, alternative form | |
| Delphin | /dɛlˈfiːn/ /ˈdɛlfiːn/ |
masculine |
Both forms refer to the aquatic mammal.
Which one should you use?
Delfin is the more common modern spelling in German, while Delphin is an alternative spelling of the same word.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun Delfin takes the ending -en for the indefinite article einen in the accusative case (e.g., einen Delfin). The plural forms are die Delphine (for Delphin) and die Delfine (for Delfin).
Did you know?
- German speakers use the term Schweinsdelphin to describe a specific species, literally translating to 'pig dolphin'.
- The spelling Delphin is often preferred in older scientific texts and formal zoological catalogs, while Delfin dominates everyday speech and media.
- The word Delphin comes from the Latin delphinus, which was borrowed into Middle High German as early as the 13th century.
Examples in context
- Paul richtet Delphine ab.Paul is a dolphin trainer.This sentence shows the use of Delphin.Tatoeba #5194114 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5190209 by CarpeLanam
- Der Delphin will fressen.The dolphin wants to eat.Tatoeba #12686209 by Waldelfe, translation #5152835 by CarpeLanam
- Tom zeichnete einen Delphin.Tom drew a picture of a dolphin.Tatoeba #2710045 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2709895 by CK
- Der Delphin ist ein sehr intelligenter Meeressäuger.The dolphin is a very intelligent marine mammal.
- Ich habe gestern einen Delfin im Meer gesehen.I saw a dolphin in the sea yesterday.
- großer Delphinbig dolphin
- süßer Delfincute dolphin
- Ich liebe DelfineI love dolphins
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Julia are at an aquarium.
- MaximilianSiehst du den Delfin dort?Do you see the dolphin there?
- JuliaJa, der Delfin ist sehr groß.Yes, the dolphin is very big.
- MaximilianEr schwimmt sehr schnell.He is swimming very fast.
- JuliaDas ist wirklich beeindruckend.That is really impressive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dolphin” translations and entries Delfin, Delphin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Delphin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
