Fels
/fɛls/masculine
The English word rock can be translated into German as Fels. Wiktionary also lists Felsbrocken and Felsblock.
Meaning: large stone or boulder (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fels | /fɛls/ | masculine |
| Felsbrocken | /ˈfɛlsˌbʁɔkn̩/ | masculine |
| Felsblock | /ˈfɛlsˌblɔk/ | masculine |
Fels refers to a rock or a cliff face, while Felsbrocken is used for a specific large, chunky piece of rock. In more formal or scientific contexts, such as describing rock formations or substances, the term Gestein is used.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Felsbrocken is a compound of Fels (rock) and Brocken (chunk or lump), literally meaning a rock chunk or boulder.
Which one should you use?
Fels is a general term that can refer to a single rock or a larger cliff formation. In contrast, Felsbrocken specifically emphasizes a broken-off, chunky piece of rock, similar to a boulder.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms of this noun are masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛls/
Did you know?
- The term Brocken in Felsbrocken is also the name of a famous mountain in the Harz range, where it is said that witches gather to dance.
- The word Brocken in Felsbrocken can also be used colloquially to describe a very large, clumsy person.
- The word Fels shares an ancient root with the English word 'fell', which is often used in Northern English and Scots to describe high, rocky hills or mountains.
Examples in context
- Du bist ein Fels.You're a rock.Tatoeba #7634493 by Hans07, translation #2764293 by verdulo
- Der Fels fühlt sich nass an.The rock feels wet.Tatoeba #1813692 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1811730 by Dejo
- Ein Fels fiel von oben herab.A rock fell from above.Tatoeba #7550120 by Yorwba, translation #268272 by Dejo
- Der Wanderweg führte uns an imposanten Felsen vorbei.The hiking trail led us past impressive rocks.
- Die Forscher untersuchten das Gestein auf seine mineralische Zusammensetzung.The researchers examined the rock for its mineral composition.
- Ich habe einen wunderschönen Stein am Strand gefunden.I found a beautiful rock on the beach.
- Die Kinder sammelten bunte Kiesel am Flussufer.The children collected colorful pebbles at the riverbank.
- Das Dach des Hauses ist mit Schiefer gedeckt.The roof of the house is covered with slate.
- Der Bergsteiger kletterte geschickt über den Felsbrocken.The mountaineer skillfully climbed over the rocky boulder.
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are hiking in the mountains.
- HannahSiehst du den großen Fels dort?Do you see that large rock there?
- FelixJa, der Fels sieht sehr steil aus.Yes, the rock looks very steep.
- HannahSollen wir den Fels umwandern?Should we walk around the rock?
- FelixDas ist eine gute Idee, Hannah.That is a good idea, Hannah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rock” translations and entries Fels, Felsbrocken, Felsblock, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
