Skip to content

Instrument

instrument

noun in-stru-MENT Less Common

Origin: from Latin instrumentum

Also means

tool

Usage Note

Instrument covers both a musical instrument and a measuring or surgical tool, just like English. In a musical context you'll often hear ein Instrument spielen ('to play an instrument'), and note that you play it without any article: Sie spielt Klavier.

Examples

"Welches Instrument spielst du?"

Natural Translation

Which instrument do you play?

Literal Translation

Which instrument play you?

Free starter pack

Building your German vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore German by topic