Sonde
/ˈzɔndə/
In German, the word for probe is Sonde.
Sonde is a noun used to refer to a probe, such as a device used in astronautics to explore space. If you are referring to an investigation or inquiry, the word Untersuchung is used instead.
Meaning: to explore, investigate, or question (verb)
Which one should you use?
While Sonde refers to a probe in a general sense, the specific term Raumsonde is frequently used when referring specifically to a space probe.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Sonde is a feminine noun, so it is preceded by the feminine article die. The plural form of this noun is Sonden.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈzɔndə/
Did you know?
- A 'probe' in the sense of a trial performance, like an audition, is called a Probe and is common in the world of theater and music.
- The word Sonde is also used in medical contexts to describe a feeding tube or a catheter used to explore a body cavity.
- The German word for a space probe, Raumsonde, literally translates to 'room probe' or 'space probe', where Raum means 'space' or 'room'.
Examples in context
- Die Sonde ist mit einem Mikrophon ausgestattet.The probe is equipped with a microphone.This sentence shows how to describe the equipment on a Sonde.Tatoeba #9814358 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9779148 by Hybrid
- Die sowjetische Sonde Wenera-7 („Venus 7“) war die erste, welche auf der Venus landete.The Soviet probe Venera 7 was the first probe to land on Venus.This sentence uses Sonde to identify a specific spacecraft that landed on Venus.Tatoeba #6150532 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3958389 by Hybrid
- Seemann 10 (engl. „Mariner 10“) war die erste Raumsonde, die den Merkur besuchte. Es war auch die erste Sonde, die zwei Planeten besuchte, nämlich den Merkur und die Venus.Mariner 10 was the first space probe to visit Mercury. It was also the first probe to visit two planets – Venus and Mercury.This sentence uses Sonde and the specific term Raumsonde to describe spacecraft visiting planets.Tatoeba #6057919 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3958429 by Hybrid
- In Bezug auf Ihre Anfrage führen wir derzeit eine Prüfung durch.Regarding your inquiry, we are currently conducting a test/examination.
- Wir möchten vor dem endgültigen Start einen Versuch durchführen.We would like to conduct a trial before the final launch.
- Lass uns diese neue Methode ausprobieren und sehen, ob sie funktioniert.Let's try out this new method and see if it works.
- 1 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are discussing a space mission.
- LauraWann wird die Sonde den Mars erreichen?When will the probe reach Mars?
- LukasDie Sonde kommt in drei Monaten an.The probe arrives in three months.
- LauraWird die Sonde Daten über Wasser senden?Will the probe send data about water?
- LukasJa, das ist das Ziel der Sonde.Yes, that is the goal of the probe.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Sonde, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
