Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Klavier | /klaˈviːɐ̯/ | common, neuter |
| Piano | /piˈaːno/ | neuter |
| Flügel | /ˈflyːɡəl/ | masculine |
The term refers to the keyboard musical instrument. In German, you can use the phrase Ich spiele Klavier to say "I play the piano" and Klavierunterricht nehmen to mean "to take piano lessons". Note that the word piano also exists in German as an adverb meaning "softly" in a musical context.
Which one should you use?
Klavier is the general term for a piano. Flügel is a more specific term used to refer to a grand piano. While both Klavier and Piano are common, Klavier is the standard German word, whereas Piano is often found in more technical or musical contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Klavier and Piano are both neuter nouns, so they take the article das (e.g., das Klavier). Flügel is a masculine noun and takes the article der (e.g., der Flügel).
How do you pronounce it?
/klaˈviːɐ̯/
Did you know?
- In German, Piano is a clipped version of the Italian word pianoforte, which means 'soft-loud'.
- The word for a grand piano, Flügel, literally translates to 'wing' in English.
- A German speaker might use the word Flügel to refer to a building's wing and a grand piano in the same sentence without confusion.
Examples in context
- Er hat ein Klavier.He has a piano.This sentence shows how to state that someone possesses a Klavier.Tatoeba #9985200 by wolfgangth, translation #8476601 by CH
- Hat er ein Klavier?Does he have a piano?This is how you ask a question about whether someone has a Klavier.Tatoeba #13105201 by Waldelfe, translation #12090853 by Pacific
- Das Piano ist teuer.The piano is expensive.This sentence uses Piano to describe the cost of the instrument.Tatoeba #1702183 by al_ex_an_der, translation #1079491 by keira_n
- Das Klavier in der Konzerthalle klingt wunderbar.The piano in the concert hall sounds wonderful.
- Meine Tochter träumt davon, eines Tages auf einem Flügel zu spielen.My daughter dreams of playing on a grand piano one day.
- Mein Großvater spielt seit Jahren Tasteninstrumente, einschließlich des Klaviers.My grandfather has been playing keyboard instruments, including the piano, for years.
- Meine Schwester nimmt KlavierunterrichtMy sister takes piano lessons
- Mein Klavier steht im WohnzimmerMy piano is in the living room.
- 499 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are in a music shop.
- HannahIst das Klavier dort neu?Is that piano over there new?
- FelixJa, es ist ein Modell aus diesem Jahr.Yes, it is a model from this year.
- HannahKann ich das Klavier einmal spielen?Can I play the piano once?
- FelixNatürlich, probiere es gerne aus.Of course, feel free to try it out.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “piano” translations and entries Klavier, Piano, Flügel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Flügel, Klavier, Piano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
