Windmühle
[ˈvɪnt.ˌmyːlə]feminine
The English word windmill is translated into German as Windmühle.
In technical contexts, specifically when describing a windmill used to generate electricity, the term Windkraftanlage is used.
Meaning: structure (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word Windmühle is a compound of Wind, meaning wind and Mühle, meaning mill.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a feminine noun. The plural form is Windmühlen, and the genitive singular form is der Windmühle.
Did you know?
- The word Mühle shares a common ancestor with the English word 'mill', but in German, it is also used in the slang term Mühle to describe an old, clunky car.
- In some German regions, the 'miller' or Müller was traditionally viewed with suspicion and thought to be a trickster who secretly stole grain from the farmers.
- In German, the term Windmühle is often used metaphorically in the phrase gegen Windmühlen kämpfen, which means to fight an imaginary or unbeatable enemy.
Examples in context
- Ich habe eine Windmühle gemalt.I painted a windmill.This sentence shows how to use Windmühle with the verb to paint.Tatoeba #12399110 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12399108 by ddnktr
- Auf dem Feld steht eine alte Windmühle.There's an old windmill in that field.This sentence illustrates the use of Windmühle to describe a location in a field.Tatoeba #8801720 by Melang, translation #9096870 by sundown
- Auf dem Grundstück stand eine alte Windmühle.There was an old windmill on the property.This sentence demonstrates the use of Windmühle when describing a location on a property.Tatoeba #12399112 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12399109 by ddnktr
- Ich habe gestern eine alte Windmühle besucht.I visited an old windmill yesterday.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Julia are walking through the countryside.
- FelixSiehst du die Windmühle dort drüben?Do you see the windmill over there?
- JuliaJa, die Windmühle sieht sehr schön aus.Yes, the windmill looks very beautiful.
- FelixIch möchte die Windmühle fotografieren.I want to photograph the windmill.
- JuliaDas ist eine gute Idee, Felix.That is a good idea, Felix.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “windmill” translations and entries Windmühle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
