Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Flugzeug | /ˈfluːkt͡sɔʏ̯k/ (Standard) | neuter |
| Flieger | /ˈfliːɡɐ/ | colloquial, masculine |
| Maschine | /maˈʃiːnə/ (Germany) /maˈʃiːnɛ/ (Austria, Southern Germany, Switzerland) |
feminine, informal |
The primary way to refer to an airplane is with the noun Flugzeug. Related terms include the adjective eben, which refers to a surface being flat or level and the verb hobeln, which means to smooth something with a plane.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Flugzeug is a compound noun made of Flug (flight) and Zeug (thing, stuff or tool).
Which one should you use?
While Flugzeug is the standard term, you may encounter Flieger, which is a more colloquial way to say plane. The word Maschine is an informal way to refer to an aircraft.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal context, you can use Luftfahrzeug to mean aircraft or Passagiermaschine specifically for a plane designed for passenger transport. Conversely, Flieger is colloquial and Maschine is informal.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Flugzeug is a neuter noun. The plural form of Flugzeug is Flugzeuge.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfluːktsɔʏ̯k/
Did you know?
- The word Flieger is often used in German to describe people who fly, such as pilots or even birds, rather than just the vehicle itself.
- The word Zeug in Flugzeug translates to 'stuff' or 'things' in modern German, but it originally referred to equipment or tools. This makes the word for airplane literally a 'flight-tool'.
- While Flugzeug is the common word for plane, the term Luftfahrzeug is used in legal and regulatory documents. It covers any 'air vehicle', including balloons and gliders.
Examples in context
- Tom ist im Flugzeug.Tom is on the plane.This sentence shows how to use Flugzeug to indicate being inside the plane.Tatoeba #4019545 by pullnosemans, translation #3831708 by CK
- Das Flugzeug hob ab.The plane took off.This sentence uses Flugzeug to describe the action of a plane taking off.Tatoeba #9182496 by Yorwba, translation #947459 by CM
- Ich sah ein Flugzeug.I saw a plane.This sentence shows how to use Flugzeug when describing seeing a plane.Tatoeba #1341006 by Zaghawa, translation #317979 by CK
- Ich reise mit dem FlugzeugI travel by plane
- Der Flieger nach Berlin war pünktlichThe plane to Berlin was on time
- Bitte beachten Sie, dass Ihr Flugzeug 30 Minuten Verspätung hat.Please note that your plane has a 30-minute delay.
- Die Luftfahrzeuge der neuesten Generation sind äußerst effizient.The latest generation aircraft are extremely efficient.
- Ich liebe es, am Fensterplatz im Flieger zu sitzen.I love sitting by the window on the plane.
- 294 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Lukas are at the airport waiting for their flight.
- SarahWo ist unser Flugzeug?Where is our plane?
- LukasDas Flugzeug hat Verspätung.The plane is delayed.
- SarahIst das Flugzeug groß?Is the plane big?
- LukasJa, es ist ein riesiges Flugzeug.Yes, it is a huge plane.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “plane” translations and entries Flugzeug, Flieger, Maschine, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
