Wolle
/ˈvɔlə/feminine
The German word for "wool" is Wolle.
Wolle refers to the hair of sheep and similar animals. It is typically used as an uncountable mass noun, just as "wool" is used in English.
Meaning: hair of sheep, etc. (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Wolle is the noun for the material itself, wollen is an adjective used to describe something that is made of wool.
How does it change in a sentence?
Wolle is a feminine noun and takes the article die.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈvɔlə/
Did you know?
- While Wolle refers to the fiber, German uses a different root for 'wool' when referring to the fluffy white seed of a cotton plant, calling it Baumwolle.
- In German, the term Wollknäuel describes a ball of wool and is often used metaphorically to describe a confusing or tangled situation.
- The word Wolle is a homonym for the first-person singular present form of the verb wollen, which means 'to want'.
Examples in context
- Wir kämmen die Wolle.We are carding the wool.This sentence demonstrates the action of carding the Wolle.Tatoeba #1716085 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1700584 by Amastan
- Mein Hemd ist wollen.My shirt is wool.This sentence shows how to describe an item as being made of Wolle.Tatoeba #12434746 by Waldelfe, translation #12434616 by Miktsoanit
- Ich kardiere die Wolle.I am carding the wool.This sentence illustrates the process of carding the Wolle.Tatoeba #1714364 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1664474 by Amastan
- Ich muss Wolle zum Stricken kaufen.I need to buy wool for knitting
- Ich habe einen Wollstoff für einen Wintermantel gekauft.I bought some woolen fabric for a winter coat
- Ich stricke gerne mit Wolle.I love knitting with wool
- Ich stricke einen Pullover mit Wolle.I'm knitting a sweater with wool
- Dieser Mantel besteht aus hochwertigem Wollstoff.This coat is made of high-quality woolen fabric
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Maximilian are at a craft store.
- HannahSiehst du diese schöne Wolle?Do you see this beautiful wool?
- MaximilianJa, sie sieht toll aus.Yes, it looks great.
- HannahIch nehme die Wolle für Maximilian.I'll take the wool for Maximilian.
- MaximilianDanke, Hannah, das ist lieb.Thanks, Hannah, that is kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wool” translations and entries Wolle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
