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German vocabulary · Beginner
How do you say "butterfly" in German?
der Schmetterling
In German, "butterfly" is der Schmetterling.
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Pronunciation
Pronounced 'SHMET-ter-ling', stress on the first syllable, with 'sch' making a 'sh' sound.
Grammar notes
der Schmetterling is masculine. Plural: der Schmetterlinge.
Example sentence
Ein bunter Schmetterling landete auf dem Blatt.
A colourful butterfly landed on the leaf.
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How to remember der Schmetterling
Picture a butterfly fluttering (schmettern can suggest a fluttering, dashing motion) — the word has nothing to do with butter in English, so let the fluttering image carry it instead.
Related words
- ant die Ameise
- bee die Biene
- spider die Spinne
- snail die Schnecke
- worm der Wurm
- cockroach die Kakerlake
- scorpion der Skorpion
- lizard die Eidechse
- toad die Kröte
Browse all German words in the glossary.
Questions about der Schmetterling
How do you say "butterfly" in German?
In German, "butterfly" is der Schmetterling. It is a noun.
Is der Schmetterling masculine, feminine, or neuter?
der Schmetterling is masculine. Plural: der Schmetterlinge.
How is der Schmetterling used in a sentence?
Use der Schmetterling as you would use the equivalent noun in English. For example: Ein bunter Schmetterling landete auf dem Blatt. (A colourful butterfly landed on the leaf.).
Where can I practice German words for free?
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"Butterfly" in other languages
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