German words starting with W

549 words. Each one has its meanings, a checked example sentence with a word-by-word translation, and audio.

wa right?; is it?; is it not?
die Waage scales (weighing machine)
waagerecht horizontal, level
wach awake
die Wache wake, vigil
wachen to be awake
der Wachmann watchman, security guard
wachsam vigilant
wachsen to grow
das Wachstum growth
der Wächter guard (person who guards)
wackeln to waggle, to wobble
die Wade calf (of the leg)
der Wadenkrampf calf cramp
die Waffe weapon, arm
die Waffel waffle, wafer
die Waffenruhe ceasefire, truce (agreed temporary cessation of combat)
der Waffenstillstand armistice (conclusive cessation of combat)
wagen to dare (to do something, despite possible risks)
der Wagen a car, an automobile, a vehicle
wägen to ponder
der Waggon railway wagon, railroad car
der Wagner cartwright, wainwright, wheelwright
das Wagnis risk, daring venture (a bold undertaking)
die Wahl choice, selection
die Wahlbeteiligung voter turnout
wählen to choose, to select
der Wähler voter
das Wahlergebnis election result
der Wahlgang ballot (round of voting)
der Wahlkampf election campaign, run for office
der Wahlkreis electoral district, constituency
das Wahlprogramm election platform (US), election manifesto (UK)
das Wahlrecht right to vote, suffrage
der Wahlsieg election victory, election win
der Wahltag election day
der Wahlzettel ballot paper, ballot
der Wahn delusion, illusion, (vain) hope (very strong but ultimately misguided or fantastical beliefs or motivations)
der Wahnsinn awesome!, wow!, that's crazy!
wahnsinnig mad, insane
wahr true, real
wahren to protect, to safeguard
während while (at the same time as)
währenddessen meanwhile, in the meantime
die Wahrheit truth
der Wahrheitsgehalt veracity, truth content
wahrlich truly, really, verily
wahrnehmen to sense, to perceive, to apprehend, to notice
die Wahrnehmung perception
wahrscheinlich likely, probable, plausible
die Wahrscheinlichkeit probability; likelihood
die Wahrung safeguarding, protection (of rights, interests)
die Währung currency, bank notes and cents, die Münzen und Banknoten
das Wahrzeichen landmark
die Waise orphan (of any gender; the noun is feminine regardless)
der Wal whale
der Wald forest; woods; woodland
der Wall rampart, parapet, earthwork
wallen to go on a pilgrimage, to journey
die Walnuss walnut
wälzen to roll
der Walzer waltz
die Wand wall, partition
der Wandel transformation, change
der Wanderer hiker, wayfarer (one who travels on foot)
wandern to hike, to go trekking
die Wanderung walk, hike
der Wanderweg hiking trail
die Wandlung change, alteration, transformation
die Wange cheek (on the face)
wann when
die Wanne tub, flat-bottomed vessel
die Want shroud
das Wappen coat of arms
wappnen to prepare oneself, to arm oneself
die Ware goods, merchandise, ware, commodity
das Warenhaus department store
der Warenkorb shopping cart (online)
der Warentrenner divider bar on the checkout belt
warm warm; mildly hot
die Wärme warmth
die Wärmepumpe heat pump
die Warmmiete total rent; base rent and utilities
das Warndreieck warning triangle
warnen to warn, to caution, to admonish
die Warnung warning
die Warnweste high-visibility vest
die Warteliste waiting list
warten to wait (for)
die Warteschlange queue (of people, or items)
die Wartezeit waiting time
das Wartezimmer waiting room
die Wartung maintenance
wartungsfrei maintenance-free
warum why; for what reason
was what
Was darf es sein? What can I get you?
was geht what's up
Was kostet das? How much does that cost?
der Waschbär raccoon
das Waschbecken sink; basin (especially bathroom, also general)
die Wäsche laundry (clothes that have been or are to be washed)
waschen to wash
der Waschlappen washcloth, flannel
die Waschmaschine washing machine
der Waschraum a washroom or bathroom that is not in a private dwelling, e.g. in a barracks or low-cost hostel
das Wasser water (H₂O)
der Wasserball beach ball (light inflatable ball)
der Wasserfall waterfall
wasserfest waterproof
der Wasserhahn tap, faucet (plumbing fitting), water tap
der Wasserkocher electric kettle
die Wasserkraft hydropower, waterpower
die Wasserleitung water conduit
der Wassermann Aquarius, Aquarian
die Wassermelone watermelon (fruit)
die Wasseroberfläche water surface
die Wasserrutsche water slide
der Wasserstand water level
der Wasserstoff hydrogen; the lightest and most common element in the universe with the atomic number 1
die Wassertemperatur water temperature
die Wassertiefe water depth
das Wassertreten treading water
die Wasserversorgung water supply
die Wasserwaage spirit level
waten to wade
das Watt intertidal zone, foreshore, especially the vast mudflats at the North Sea coast
wayne who cares
weben to weave
die Webseite web page
die Website website
der Wechsel change
das Wechselgeld change (small denominations of money given in exchange for a larger denomination)
der Wechselkurs exchange rate
wechseln to change, to exchange
wechselseitig mutual, reciprocal
wecken to wake, to wake up
der Wecker alarm clock
der Weckruf wake-up call
der Wedel duster
wedeln to waggle, to wag
weder neither (only with noch)
weg away
der Weg path, trail, track (usually for foot traffic)
wegen for, because of
wegfahren to drive away, to drive off
der Wegfall elimination
wegfallen to fall away, disappear
weggehen to go away, leave, scram
weglassen to omit
weglaufen to run away
wegnehmen to take away from, to remove from
wegstecken to (be able to) take something, to withstand, to endure (an unpleasant experience, especially without complaint)
wegwaschen to wash away
wegweisend pointing the way (ahead), pioneering, pathbreaking
der Wegweiser signpost
wegwerfen to throw away, to discard
wegziehen to move, to move away
weh sore, painful
wehe woe; don't you dare (threatening exclamation)
wehen to blow (of wind, a storm, etc.)
der Wehrdienst military service, national service
wehren to defend oneself
die Wehrpflicht conscription
wehtun [with dative] to hurt
das Weib woman, broad
das Weibchen female (of an animal)
weiblich female
weich soft
die Weiche railway switch, points
weichen to move farther away, to make room, to yield
die Weide pasture
weiden to browse, to graze
weigern to refuse
der Weiher pond
das Weihnachten Christmas
der Weihnachtsbaum Christmas tree
das Weihnachtsfest Christmas
das Weihnachtsgeld Christmas bonus (an additional payment made to employees by their employer before Christmas)
das Weihnachtsgeschenk Christmas present
der Weihnachtsmann Santa Claus, Father Christmas
der Weihnachtsmarkt Christmas market
die Weihnachtszeit Christmas season, Christmastime
der Weihrauch frankincense
weil because, given that
die Weile while (uncertain duration of time, period of time)
weilen to be, be present somewhere
der Weiler hamlet (very small settlement which lacks some of the typical features of a village, such as a church or a village square)
der Wein wine
der Weinberg vineyard
weinen to weep, cry
der Weingarten vineyard
das Weingut wine estate; winery
die Weinkarte wine list
der Weinstein crystals of tartrate (as found e.g. at the bottom of wine bottles), wine stone
die Weintraube grape; wine-grape
die Weise way, manner
der Weiser sage
die Weisheit wisdom
weiß white
der Weißabgleich white balance
der Weißwein white wine (light-coloured wine (usually yellow with a hint of green))
weit far
weitaus by far
weiten to widen, to expand, to dilate
weiter further, farther, more
die Weiterbildung further education
weiterentwickeln to develop further, to improve, to refine
weiterführen to continue
die Weitergabe transfer
weitergeben to pass on, to share
weitergehen to proceed, progress, continue
weiterhelfen to help along
weiterhin still
weiterleben to live on, to continue to live, to survive
weiterleiten to forward
weiterlesen to keep reading
weitermachen go on, keep going, continue to do something
weiters furthermore, moreover
weitestgehend mostly, as much as possible, to the greatest extent
weitgehend extensive
weithin widely
der Weitwinkel wide angle
das Weitwinkelobjektiv wide-angle lens
der Weizen wheat
welch what
welche some
welcher which; what
welk wilted, withered
die Welle wave (of water)
die Wellenlänge wavelength
der Welpe puppy (male or of unspecified gender) (young dog)
der Wels wels catfish (Silurus glanis)
die Welt world
das Weltall outer space, the universe
die Weltanschauung worldview, weltanschauung, philosophy of life, ideology
die Weltbevölkerung global population
das Weltbild worldview
weltfremd naive, unworldly, unfamiliar with the reality, the challenges, and the opportunities of everyday life
der Weltfrieden world peace, universal peace
die Weltgeschichte world history
der Welthandel world trade, global trade (the exchange of goods, services, and capital across international borders and territories)
die Weltherrschaft world domination, world dominion (supreme political or military control over the entire earth)
der Weltkrieg world war
das Weltkulturerbe World Cultural Heritage, cultural World Heritage Site
weltlich earthly, mundane, worldly (concerned with the human, earthly, or physical)
der Weltmeister world champion
die Weltmeisterschaft World Cup, world championship
die Weltordnung world order
die Weltrangliste world rankings
der Weltraum space (area beyond the atmosphere of planets)
die Weltreise world trip, round-the-world trip (prolonged voyage or vacation in various parts of the world)
der Weltrekord World record
der Weltuntergang end of the world
weltweit worldwide
die Weltwirtschaft global economy
die Wende turning point, turnaround (decisive change)
wenden to turn something (in general)
der Wendepunkt turning point
wendig nimble, manoeuvrable
die Wendung turn
wenig little, few (a small amount, a small number)
weniger less
wenigstens at least
wenn when, whenever
wenngleich albeit (despite its being; although)
wer who (what person or people)
die Werbekampagne advertising campaign, ad campaign, publicity campaign
werben to recruit; to enlist
der Werbespot spot, ad, commercial
die Werbung commercial advertisement
der Werdegang career
werden will, to be going to, forms the future tense
der Werder river island, eyot, holm
werfen to throw
die Werft shipyard (place where ships are built and repaired)
das Werk work, achievement (the result of working)
das Werken handicraft(s)
die Werkstatt workshop (room where things are manufactured)
der Werkstoff material (engineering)
der Werktag working day (day of a week on which work is commonly done; usually any day other than Sundays and public holidays)
werktags on weekdays
das Werkzeug tool
wert worth, worthy of
der Wert value (determinable numerical quantity)
werten to rate
wertlos worthless
die Wertsache valuable
die Wertschätzung appreciation, esteem, high regard
die Wertung rating, score
wertvoll valuable
der Werwolf werewolf
das Wesen creature, being
wesentlich essential (concerning the essence or true nature of something)
das Wesentliche gist, nitty-gritty
weshalb why
die Wespe wasp (insect)
der West the west (used without article; a short form of Westen)
westdeutsch western German (from or pertaining to western Germany or the people, the culture or the dialects of this region)
die Weste waistcoat, vest (usually sleeveless garment worn over a shirt)
der Westen west
der Western western
die Westküste west coast
westlich west, western
die Westseite west side
westwärts westward, westwards (towards the west)
weswegen why, for what reason
der Wettbewerb competition (contest for a prize or award)
die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit competitiveness
die Wette bet
wetten to bet
das Wetter weather
der Wetterbericht weather report (description of past and/or forecast weather)
die Wettervorhersage weather forecast
der Wettkampf contest (competition)
der Wettlauf footrace
der Wettstreit competition (the act of competing or a situation characterised by it)
die WG flatshare (short for Wohngemeinschaft)
der Whirlpool jacuzzi (kind of hot tub)
der Whiskey whiskey
der Whisky whisky (alcoholic drink)
wichsen to masturbate, to wank, to toss off (to manually stimulate the penis)
wichtig important, relevant, significant, weighty
die Wichtigkeit importance, significance, momentousness
wickeln to wrap, wind around, coil
der Widder ram (male sheep)
wider against
widerfahren to befall, to happen to
widerlegen to disprove, to refute
widerlich disgusting
der Widerruf revocation, cancellation
widersprechen to object; to disagree
der Widerspruch contradiction
Widerspruch einlegen to lodge a formal objection
widersprüchlich contradictory
der Widerstand resistance (act of resisting, or the capacity to resist)
das Widerstandsband resistance band
widerstehen to withstand, to resist
widerwärtig repulsive, disgusting
widmen to dedicate, to devote
die Widrigkeit adversity (adverse event)
wie how
Wie geht es Ihnen heute? How are you today?
Wie hat dir das Buch gefallen? How did you like the book?
Wie hoch ist die Kaltmiete? How much is the base rent?
wieder again; indicates that the action taking place has happened before
der Wiederaufbau reconstruction, rebuilding
die Wiederaufnahme resumption, revival
die Wiederbelebung resuscitation
wiederfinden to find again
die Wiedergabe rendition
wiedergeben to give back, to return (something to its rightful or previous owner)
die Wiedergeburt rebirth, reincarnation
die Wiedergutmachung amends, compensation, remediation, reparation
wiederherstellen to restore
die Wiederherstellung recovery
wiederholen to repeat (to do or say again)
wiederholt repeatedly
die Wiederholung repetition, reiteration
die Wiederkehr return
wiederkommen to return, to come back, to come again
wiedersehen to see again, to meet again
wiederum in turn, then again, on the other hand, to the contrary
die Wiedervereinigung reunification
die Wiederwahl re-election, reelection
wiederwählen to reelect
die Wiege cradle
wiegen to weigh; to be of a certain weight
die Wiese meadow
die Wiesn the Oktoberfest in Munich (Bavarian)
wieso why
das Wiki wiki
der Wikinger Viking
wild wild (of animals, etc.)
wildern to poach
die Wildnis wilderness
das Wildschwein wild boar, wild pig
das Wildtier wild animal; any animal that is not domesticated, living under natural conditions
der Wille will
willen for the sake of — in um … willen
willens willing, ready, prepared
willkommen welcome (received with gladness)
die Willkür arbitrariness
willkürlich arbitrary, random, haphazard
wimmeln to teem, crawl, be swarming (with)
die Wimper eyelash
der Wind wind; the movement of air usually caused by convection or differences of air pressure
die Winde winch, windlass
die Windel diaper, nappy
winden to wind
die Windenergie wind power (power harnessed from the wind)
die Windkraft wind power (power harnessed from the wind)
die Windmühle windmill
die Windschutzscheibe windshield/windscreen (front window of a car)
der Wink hint, cue, suggestion
der Winkel angle, nook; corner (seen from the inside)
winken to wave one's hand
der Winter winter
der Wintergarten conservatory (UK), sunroom (US) (room with glass walls, used to sit in and grow houseplants)
winterhart hardy, frost-resistant
der Wintermonat winter month (especially December, January, February)
der Winterreifen winter tire, winter tyre
der Winterschlaf hibernation
das Wintersemester winter semester, autumn semester, fall semester
das Winterspiele Winter Games
der Wintersport winter sport
der Winzer vintner, winemaker, manufacturer of wine
wir we
wirbeln to swirl, to whirl
die Wirbelsäule vertebral column, backbone, spine
wirken to appear, to seem
wirklich real
die Wirklichkeit reality
wirksam effective (well-suited for achieving the intended purpose)
die Wirksamkeit effectiveness, efficacy
der Wirkstoff active ingredient
die Wirkung effect
der Wirkungsgrad effectiveness, efficiency
wirkungsvoll effective, impactful
der Wirt pubkeeper; innkeeper
die Wirtschaft economy
wirtschaften to manage resources economically, to economize
wirtschaftlich economic (relating to the economy or to business)
die Wirtschaftlichkeit efficiency, economic efficiency, profitability, cost-effectiveness, economic viability
die Wirtschaftskraft economic power, economic strength (the capacity of an economy, region, or company to produce value, innovate, and compete)
der Wirtschaftsminister minister of the economy (and/or of trade and commerce)
die Wirtschaftspolitik commercial / economic policy
der Wirtschaftsraum economic area, economic region, economic zone
das Wirtschaftswachstum economic growth
die Wirtschaftswissenschaft economics (study)
der Wirtschaftszweig branch of industry, economic sector
das Wirtshaus inn, tavern
wischen to wipe
wissen to know; to be aware of (a fact)
das Wissen knowledge
die Wissenschaft science (a branch of knowledge or academic discipline dealing with a systematic body of facts or truths)
der Wissenschaftler scientist
wissenschaftlich scientific
wissenswert worth knowing, useful to know
die Witterung weather
die Witwe widow
der Witz joke
witzig funny, humorous, witty
das WLAN WLAN
wo where (at what place)
Wo tut es weh? Where does it hurt?
woanders elsewhere, somewhere else
wobei while, during which
die Woche week (period of seven days counting from Monday to Sunday, or from Sunday to Saturday)
das Wochenende weekend (break in the working week, usually Saturday and Sunday)
wochenlang lasting for weeks
der Wochenmarkt weekly farmers' market
der Wochentag weekday (any day of the week)
wöchentlich weekly
der Wodka vodka
wodurch through what
wofür for what, wherefore, why
wogegen against what, against which
woher where from, whence
wohin where to, whither
wohingegen whereas
wohl possibly, probably; as I was told (modal particle expressing an assumption, often like English must + infinitive, or (US) guess + clause)
das Wohlbefinden well-being
die Wohlfahrt welfare, weal
wohlfühlen to feel comfortable
der Wohlstand prosperity
die Wohnanlage residential complex, apartment complex, housing development
wohnen to live, reside, dwell (to remain or be settled permanently, or for a considerable time)
die Wohnfläche living area (in square metres)
die Wohngemeinschaft shared flat, flatshare
das Wohnhaus residential building
das Wohnheim hostel, boarding house, dormitory
das Wohnmobil a camper (camper van), motor home, motor caravan, recreational vehicle
der Wohnort place of residence
der Wohnraum housing
der Wohnsitz domicile, residence (place where one lives)
die Wohnung flat; apartment (such a place when it occupies only part of a building)
der Wohnungsbau housing
die Wohnungsgeberbestätigung landlord's confirmation of tenancy (for registering)
die Wohnungssuche flat hunt
die Wohnungsübergabe handover of the flat
der Wohnwagen caravan (UK), trailer (US)
das Wohnzimmer living room
der Wolf wolf
das Wolfram tungsten
die Wolke cloud (a visible mass of water droplets suspended in the air)
der Wolkenkratzer skyscraper (tall building)
woll right?, isn't it?
wollen to want; to wish; to desire; to demand
womit with what, what…with
womöglich possibly
wonach after what
woran on what, at what
worauf whereupon; upon which; on which; to which; at which; above which; upon
woraufhin whereupon
woraus out of what, from which
worin in what, wherein
das Workout workout
der Workshop workshop (course of education)
das Wort word as an isolated unit
das Wörterbuch dictionary (reference work with a list of words from one or more languages, and their definitions or translations)
der Wortlaut wording
wörtlich literal, verbatim
der Wortschatz vocabulary
das Wortspiel pun, wordplay
die Wortwahl choice of words
worüber about what
worum about what
Worum geht es? What is it about?
wovon about what, what ... about
wovor of what, about what (with verbs and phrases taking 'vor', e.g. sich fürchten vor)
wozu for what reason, to what purpose, what for, why?
das Wrack wreck (damaged remains of a ship, airplane, etc.)
das Wrestling professional wrestling
die Wucht force, impact (of a blow or collision)
wund wounded, injured, sore
die Wunde sore, wound
das Wunder miracle
wunderbar wonderful
das Wunderkind wunderkind, child prodigy (highly talented person who rises to excellence in their field at a young age)
wundern to surprise, to astonish (of sights, behaviors, outcomes)
wunderschön gorgeous, very beautiful
wundervoll wonderful
der Wunsch wish (an act of wishing)
das Wunschdenken wishful thinking
wünschen to wish for; to make a wish for; to want; to desire
wünschenswert desirable
die Wunschliste wish list, wishlist
würdig worthy
würdigen to appreciate; to publicly recognize and praise
die Würdigung appreciation, evaluation
der Wurf throw
der Würfel die (game piece)
würfeln to roll dice, to play dice
die Wurfquote shooting percentage
die Wurfuhr shot clock
der Wurm worm
wurst anyway, anyhow
die Wurst sausage
das Würstchen small sausage; hot dog
die Wurzel root
wurzeln to be rooted
würzen to season
würzig well-seasoned, savoury
wüst fierce, severe, savage, wild, unrestrained
die Wüste desert
die Wut rage; fury; outrage
wüten to rage, to rampage, to riot, to run amok
wütend furious, angry