noun
die Glühbirne, -n
light bulb
Ein kleines Ding aus Glas, das Licht macht, wenn Strom hindurchfließt.
The German word "Glühbirne" is a noun meaning "light bulb".
- It is made up of two words:
- Glüh (from "glühen") meaning "to glow" or "to shine",
- Birne meaning "pear" (referring to the pear-like shape of traditional light bulbs).
Similar words:
- Leuchtmittel – lighting element, broader term for light sources
- Lampe – lamp or light (can mean the whole device, including bulb)
- Glühlampe – incandescent lamp (more specific term for an incandescent light bulb)
Differences:
- "Glühbirne" emphasizes the bulb specifically (usually incandescent).
- "Lampe" refers to the entire lamp or light device.
- "Leuchtmittel" includes all kinds of light sources, including LED, fluorescent, etc.
Make “Glühbirne” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Die Glühbirne muss ausgewechselt werden.noun
The light bulb needs to be changed.
Eine Glühbirne ist in der Lampe.noun
A light bulb is in the lamp.
Im Supermarkt kaufe ich neue Glühbirnen.noun
In the supermarket I buy new light bulbs.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad