Rakete
/ʁaˈkeːtə/feminine
The English word rocket is Rakete in German.
Rakete is the standard German term for a rocket. For more specific contexts, you might use Flugkörper, which refers to a missile or a guided projectile used in aerospace. Other compound nouns include Wasserstoffrakete (hydrogen rocket) and Mondrakete (moon rocket). The compound noun Raketenstart is commonly used to refer to a rocket launch. The phrase Wie eine Rakete vorankommen means To progress quickly.
Meaning: vehicle (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Rakete is a feminine noun. The plural form is Raketen, and the genitive singular form is der Rakete.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁaˈkeːtə/
Did you know?
- The word Rakete is actually a diminutive of the Italian word rocca meaning 'distaff' and was originally rocchetta.
- In German slang, the word Rakete is sometimes used to describe a person who is exceptionally fast or high-performing in their field.
- While Rakete refers to the vehicle, German uses the word Raketenwissenschaft to describe 'rocket science', often used in the idiom 'it is not Raketenwissenschaft' to mean something is not that difficult.
Examples in context
- Tom ging ab wie eine Rakete.Tom took off like a rocket.This sentence uses Rakete to illustrate a comparison of speed.Tatoeba #11082884 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6947981 by Hybrid
- Die Rakete startete in den Weltraum.The rocket was launched into space.This sentence uses Rakete to describe a launch into space.Tatoeba #620928 by Dejo, translation #29383 by CK
- Der Raketenstart verlief ohne Probleme.The rocket launched without any problems.This sentence uses the compound noun Raketenstart to describe a launch process.Tatoeba #8641589 by Melang, translation #11235250 by sundown
- Die Rakete startete erfolgreichThe rocket launched successfully
- Der Flugkörper wurde ins All geschossenThe missile was launched into space
- Die Kids waren begeistert vom Feuerwerk, besonders von den RaketenThe kids were thrilled by the fireworks, especially the rockets
- Lass uns die Knallkörper zünden, die wie Raketen fliegenLet's light the firecrackers that fly like rockets
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are watching a space launch on television.
- LukasSiehst du die Rakete dort?Do you see the rocket there?
- SarahJa, die Rakete ist riesig!Yes, the rocket is huge!
- LukasIch hoffe, die Rakete fliegt sicher.I hope the rocket flies safely.
- SarahLukas, schau, sie hebt ab!Lukas, look, it is taking off!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rocket” translations and entries Rakete, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Rakete, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
