Bleistift
/ˈblaɪ̯ʃtɪft/masculine
The German word for pencil is Bleistift. Wiktionary also lists Buntstift.
Meaning: graphite writing-instrument (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bleistift | /ˈblaɪ̯ʃtɪft/ | masculine |
| Buntstift | /ˈbʊn(t)ˌʃtɪft/ | masculine |
Bleistift specifically refers to a graphite pencil. If you are talking about a drawing pencil, you would use Zeichenstift.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Bleistift is a compound of Blei, meaning lead and Stift, meaning stick or pen.
Which one should you use?
While Bleistift refers to a standard graphite pencil, Buntstift refers specifically to a colored pencil.
How does it change in a sentence?
Bleistift is a masculine noun. Its plural form is Bleistifte. Because it is masculine, it changes to den Bleistift when it is the direct object of a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈblaɪ̯ʃtɪft/
Did you know?
- The word Stift can refer to a pencil or pen, but it is also used in German slang to describe a young, inexperienced person or a 'rookie'.
- The word Blei in Bleistift literally means 'lead', but pencils have never actually contained lead. This reflects a historical mistake when graphite was first discovered and mistaken for a form of lead.
- The word Stift also refers to a foundation or an endowment in a legal and financial context, making it a homonym with the writing instrument.
Examples in context
- Wo ist der Bleistift?Where's the pencil?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of a Bleistift.Tatoeba #4735682 by Esperantostern, translation #11952888 by sundown
- Ist das ein Bleistift?Is that a pencil?This sentence is useful for asking if an object is a Bleistift.Tatoeba #8225112 by Luiaard, translation #6358160 by CK
- Das ist mein Bleistift.That's my pencil.This sentence is useful for identifying ownership of a Bleistift.Tatoeba #2260995 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1196221 by FiRez
- Kann ich bitte einen Stift haben?Can I have a pencil, please?
- Darf ich deinen Bleistift benutzen?May I use your pencil?
- Bitte unterschreiben Sie das Dokument mit diesem Bleistift.Please sign the document with this pencil.
- Wo hast du den Zeichenstift gekauft?Where did you buy the drawing pencil?
- Ich habe einen neuen Zeichenstift gekauft, um Porträts zu zeichnen.I bought a new drawing pencil for sketching portraits.
- 192 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Hannah are in a classroom.
- JulianHannah, hast du einen Bleistift für mich?Hannah, do you have a pencil for me?
- HannahJa, ich habe zwei Bleistifte in meiner Tasche.Yes, I have two pencils in my bag.
- JulianDanke, ich brauche den Bleistift nur kurz.Thanks, I only need the pencil for a moment.
- HannahKein Problem, nimm ihn einfach.No problem, just take it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pencil” translations and entries Bleistift, Buntstift, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
