fern
/fɛʁn/
In German, the English phrase 'remote' (as in a remote control) is expressed using fern.
The standard way to refer to a remote control is the compound noun Fernbedienung.
Meaning: remote control (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word fern can also relate to being 'at a distance' as an adjective, similar to entfernt or abgelegen.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Fernbedienung is feminine and is used with the definite article die.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛʁn/
Did you know?
- German uses the prefix fern- to create many 'distance' words, such as Fernsehen for 'television' and Fernweh for a longing to travel to distant places.
- While Fernbedienung is the standard term, some Germans colloquially refer to the remote as the Zapper, borrowing the English word for the action of channel surfing.
- The adjective fern is a direct linguistic cousin of the English word 'far'. Both descend from the Proto-Germanic root *ferrai.
Examples in context
- Wo ist die Fernbedienung?Where's the remote control for the TV?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the fern (Fernbedienung).Tatoeba #9748880 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #39222 by CK
- Hast du die Fernbedienung?Do you have the remote?This sentence is useful for asking if someone possesses the fern (Fernbedienung).Tatoeba #5245927 by Sudajaengi, translation #2646081 by CK
- Gib mir die Fernbedienung.Hand me the remote.This sentence is useful for requesting that someone hand you the fern (Fernbedienung).Tatoeba #11684092 by mhr, translation #1522624 by erikspen
- Das ferngesteuerte Gerät ermöglicht die Steuerung aus der Ferne.The remote-controlled device allows control from a distance.
- Ich würde dich gerne aus der Ferne unterstützen.I would like to support you remotely.
- Ich kann per Fernzugriff auf deinen Computer zugreifen.I can access your computer remotely.
- Die Fernarbeit ist in der heutigen digitalen Welt weit verbreitet.Remote work is prevalent in today's digital world.
- Ich habe gerade den Fernseher aus der Ferne eingeschaltet!I just turned on the TV remotely!
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Julian are looking for the remote in the living room.
- JuliaIch kann die Fernbedienung nicht finden.I cannot find the remote.
- JulianSie liegt vielleicht unter dem Kissen.It might be under the cushion.
- JuliaHier ist sie! Die Fernbedienung war hier.Here it is! The remote was here.
- JulianSuper, dann können wir jetzt den Film starten.Great, then we can start the movie now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fern, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fern, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
