Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Spion | /ʃpiˈoːn/ | masculine |
| Spionin | feminine | |
| Schlapphut | colloquial, masculine |
A Spion is a person who secretly watches. This term is the direct equivalent of the English word 'spy'. If you want to describe the action of acting as a spy, you can use the verb ausspionieren or use the verb erspähen to mean spotting someone or something from a distance.
Which one should you use?
Use Spion when referring to a male spy and Spionin when referring to a female spy.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For official contexts, you might use the formal term Geheimagent, which means 'secret agent'. In informal settings, a person providing information for benefits or protection can be called a Spitzel, while the colloquial term Schnüffler translates to 'snoop' or 'sniffer'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of Spion is Spione. If you are referring to female spies in the plural, use Spioninnen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃpiˈoːn/
Did you know?
- The word Spion is a linguistic circle. It entered German from Italian spione and French espion, but these Romance words were originally borrowed from an older Germanic root.
- The colloquial term Schlapphut for a spy literally translates to 'limp hat'.
- During the Cold War, the division of Germany led to a hyper-specific vocabulary for spying. The term Stasi became synonymous with state surveillance and the use of Inoffizielle Mitarbeiter or 'unofficial collaborators'.
Examples in context
- Er war ein Spion.He was a spy.This sentence uses Spion to show a past state.Tatoeba #9985185 by wolfgangth, translation #8476344 by CH
- Tom ist ein Spion.Tom is a spy.This sentence uses Spion to identify someone's current role.Tatoeba #3508683 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2272877 by CK
- Bist du ein Spion?Are you a spy?This sentence uses Spion to ask a question about someone's identity.Tatoeba #13804322 by mhr, translation #11900245 by CK
- Der Typ ist echt ein Spitzel.That guy is a real spy.
- 58 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a plot of a movie they just watched.
- MaximilianWar der Spion im Film klug?Was the spy in the movie smart?
- SarahJa, er war ein sehr guter Spion.Yes, he was a very good spy.
- MaximilianSarah, glaubst du, das ist realistisch?Sarah, do you think that is realistic?
- SarahNein, das ist nur ein Film.No, it is just a movie.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spy” translations and entries Spion, Spionin, Schlapphut, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Schlapphut, Spion, Spionin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
