der Kuli, -s
pen
Ein Stift mit Tinte, mit dem man schreiben kann.
The German word "Kuli" is a colloquial noun meaning "ballpoint pen". It is a short form of "Kugelschreiber," which breaks down into:
- Kugel = "ball"
- Schreiber = "writer" or "pen"
Similar words include:
- Kugelschreiber (formal for ballpoint pen)
- Füller (fountain pen)
- Stift (pen/pencil in general)
Difference:
"Kuli" and "Kugelschreiber" are synonyms, but "Kuli" is informal/slang, while "Kugelschreiber" is more formal. "Füller" refers specifically to fountain pens, and "Stift" is broader, referring to any writing instrument.
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Examples
Der Kuli liegt auf dem Tisch.noun
The pen is lying on the table
Hast du noch viele Kulis in der Tasche?noun
Do you still have many pens in your bag?
Gestern habe ich meinen neuen Kuli verloren.noun
Yesterday I lost my new pen.
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