kitzeln
/ˈkɪt͡səln/
To tickle in German is kitzeln.
The verb kitzeln means to touch in a manner that causes tingling sensation.
Meaning: to touch in a manner that causes tingling sensation (verb)
Which one should you use?
The noun Kitzeln refers to the act of tickling.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term kitzeln is commonly understood throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present form of kitzeln is kitzelt. The past participle of kitzeln is gekitzelt. The infinitive construction for 'to have tickled' is gekitzelt zu haben.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkɪtsəln/
Did you know?
- The German verb kitzeln is an ancient relative of the English word 'kittle', which is an obsolete term meaning to excite or stir up.
- The phrase das kitzelt is frequently used in Germany as a reflexive observation when something touches the skin, even if no one is actively tickling.
- The word kitzeln can be used metaphorically in German to describe a sensation of anticipation or nervous excitement, similar to 'tingling' in English.
Examples in context
- Sie zog ihr den Schuh aus und machte sich daran, sie am Fuß zu kitzeln.She took her shoe off and began to tickle her foot.This sentence shows how to use kitzeln to describe tickling a foot.Tatoeba #12100276 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #11970166 by sundown
- Wieso können wir uns nicht selber kitzeln?Why can't we tickle ourselves?This sentence uses kitzeln to ask why one cannot tickle oneself.Tatoeba #950 by MUIRIEL, translation #2153 by Tesseract42
- Könnten Sie bitte mein Kind kitzeln?Could you please tickle my child?
- Es ist höflich, jemanden zu kitzeln.It is polite to tickle someone.
- Ich liebe es, dich zu kitzeln!I love tickling you!
- Hör auf, mich an der Seite zu kitzeln!Stop tickling me on the side!
Example conversation
A playful moment at home between a couple.
- JuliaJulian, bitte nicht kitzeln!Julian, please don't tickle me!
- JulianAber du lachst so gerne dabei.But you love laughing while it happens.
- JuliaEs kitzelt einfach viel zu sehr.It just tickles much too much.
- JulianNur noch ein kleines bisschen.Just a little bit more.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tickle” translations and entries kitzeln, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kitzeln, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
