Tintenfisch
/ˈtɪntn̩ˌfɪʃ/masculine
The English word squid can be translated into German as Tintenfisch or Kalmar.
Meaning: sea animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kalmar | masculine | |
| Tintenfisch | /ˈtɪntn̩ˌfɪʃ/ /ˈtɪntənˌfɪʃ/ |
masculine |
Both terms refer to the sea animal known as a squid.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Tintenfisch is a compound noun consisting of Tinte, meaning ink and Fisch, meaning fish.
How does it change in a sentence?
Tintenfisch is a masculine noun, and its plural form is Tintenfische. Kalmar is also a masculine noun, and its plural form is Kalmare.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtɪntn̩ˌfɪʃ/
Did you know?
- In older German texts, the squid was sometimes referred to as a 'sea-spider' (Meerspin), an unexpected comparison for a soft-bodied cephalopod.
- The word Kalmar is a loanword derived from the Latin calamarius, which relates to a 'reed' or 'pen' used for writing.
- While Tintenfisch means 'ink fish' and refers to squids, it is also used as a generic term for octopuses and cuttlefish in everyday German.
Examples in context
- Ein Kalmar hat zehn Tentakel.A squid has ten legs.This sentence is useful for stating that a Kalmar has ten tentacles.Tatoeba #783915 by Manfredo, translation #569669 by CK
- Wie viele Arme hat ein Kalmar?How many arms does a squid have?This sentence is useful for asking how many arms a Kalmar has.Tatoeba #8378066 by Yorwba, translation #2228386 by Tximist
- Wie viele Tentakel hat ein Kalmar?How many tentacles does a squid have?This sentence is useful for asking how many tentacles a Kalmar has.Tatoeba #8378068 by Yorwba, translation #10794635 by sundown
- Im Restaurant habe ich gestern einen delikaten Tintenfisch gegessen.Yesterday, I had a delicious squid at the restaurant.
- Die gegrillten Tintenfische sind besonders zart und köstlich.The grilled squids are particularly tender and tasty.
- Ich esse gern Muscheln und Tintenfisch.I enjoy eating mussels and squid.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are looking at a menu in a seafood restaurant.
- LauraIst der Tintenfisch hier gut?Is the squid good here?
- LukasJa, der Tintenfisch schmeckt sehr frisch.Yes, the squid tastes very fresh.
- LauraDann nehme ich den Tintenfisch.Then I will take the squid.
- LukasGute Wahl, Laura.Good choice, Laura.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “squid” translations and entries Kalmar, Tintenfisch, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Tintenfisch, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
