How to Say “K” in German

By Rebekah Bethany • Updated October 4, 2026

K (König)

In German, K (König) is the way to say the playing card king.

This term is used to denote the king in a deck of playing cards.

Meaning: playing card (noun)

Did you know?

Traditional German-suited cards use Eichel (acorns) and Laub (leaves) instead of the diamonds and hearts seen in the standard König cards.
In the popular German game Skat, the König is not always the most powerful card because 'Jacks' act as permanent trump cards.
In many traditional German decks, the König is often depicted as a specific historical figure, such as Charlemagne, rather than a generic royal.

Examples in context

Klug
Smart
Kaiser
Emperor
Kamerad
Comrade

Example conversation

Felix and Julia are playing a card game.

Felix

Welche Karte spielst du jetzt, Julia?
Which card are you playing now, Julia?
Julia

Ich spiele den K (König) von Karo.
I am playing the king of diamonds.
Felix

Oh nein, das ist eine starke Karte!
Oh no, that is a strong card!
Julia

Ja, ich gewinne diesen Stich.
Yes, I win this trick.

Sources

Wiktionary, “k” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.

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About The Author

Rebekah Bethany

Hallo! I'm Rebekah, your resident language lover and enthusiast for all things German. From daily phrases to minute expressions, I enjoy breaking down the inner workings of this fascinating language in my comprehensive guides. Beyond my linguistic endeavors, I adore strumming guitar picks, whipping up chocolate cakes (Schokoladenkuchen!), and connecting with different cultures. I have a soft spot for animals too, from the friendly 'schwarze Affen' (black monkeys) to the humble 'Ratte' (rats). When not deciphering languages, you'll find me sampling Rieslings and exploring cemeteries. Bis bald!

Rebekah BethanyHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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