The German Word for Computer

The word for computer in German is der Computer (pronounced "kohm-POO-ter"). It is a masculine noun, so it takes the article der in the nominative case. You will hear this word used in everyday German conversation, in workplaces, and in schools across German-speaking countries.

German adopted the English word "computer" directly rather than creating a new word from German roots. This happened because computers became widespread in German-speaking regions after English-speaking countries had already named and popularized the technology. Many modern languages did the same thing, making "computer" one of the most internationally recognizable tech terms.

If you are learning German and plan to discuss technology, knowing der Computer is essential. You will encounter it in textbooks, hear it in conversation, and need it when talking about work, school, or hobbies that involve digital devices.

Key Takeaways

  • The German word for computer is der Computer, pronounced "kohm-POO-ter," and it is a masculine noun.
  • German uses the English word directly rather than a word built from German language roots.
  • In different grammatical cases, the article changes: den Computer (accusative), des Computers (genitive), and dem Computer (dative).
  • Related technology words like die Tastatur (keyboard) and die Maus (mouse) follow German naming patterns, while der Monitor and der Laptop are also borrowed from English.

Using the Article Correctly

Because Computer is masculine, it always pairs with der in the nominative case (the subject form). When you use it as a direct object, the article changes to den. For example: "Ich kaufe einen Computer" (I am buying a computer) uses the accusative case.

The genitive case (showing possession) uses des Computers: "Die Festplatte des Computers ist voll" (The hard drive of the computer is full). The dative case (indirect object) uses dem Computer: "Ich arbeite an dem Computer" (I work on the computer).

If you are just starting to learn German, focus on der Computer in the nominative case first. Once you become comfortable with basic sentences, the other cases will follow naturally as you learn more grammar rules.

Related German Technology Words

Knowing der Computer is useful, but you will also need words for the parts and accessories. Die Tastatur (the keyboard) is feminine, and die Maus (the mouse) is also feminine. Der Monitor (the monitor) is masculine, like Computer, and der Laptop is also masculine and borrowed directly from English.

Other common tech words include die Festplatte (the hard drive, feminine), der Drucker (the printer, masculine), and der Bildschirm (the screen, masculine). Bildschirm is a purely German word, built from Bild (image) and Schirm (screen or shield), and is often used interchangeably with Monitor.

When you talk about using a computer for work or school, you might say "Ich arbeite am Computer" (I work on the computer) or "Ich sitze vor dem Computer" (I sit in front of the computer). These phrases are common in everyday German and will help you sound natural when discussing your daily activities.

Pronunciation and Spelling

The pronunciation of Computer in German is very close to English: "kohm-POO-ter." The stress falls on the second syllable, just as it does in English. The spelling is identical to the English word, which makes it straightforward to remember if you already speak English.

One small difference: in German, the word is always capitalized because all nouns in German are capitalized, regardless of where they appear in a sentence. So you would write "Der Computer ist neu" (The computer is new) with a capital C, even in the middle of a sentence.

When and Where You Will Hear This Word

In German-speaking countries, der Computer is used in schools, offices, tech stores, and casual conversation. If you visit Germany, Austria, or Switzerland and need to talk about computers, this is the word you will hear and the word people will understand when ready.

In formal or technical writing, you might also encounter die EDV (Elektronische Datenverarbeitung), which means "electronic data processing" and is used as a general term for information technology. However, in everyday speech, der Computer is far more common and is what you should learn first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is "Computer" spelled the same way in German as in English?

Yes, the spelling is identical. German adopted the English word without changing how it is written. The only difference is that in German, it is always capitalized because all nouns are capitalized.

What is the plural of Computer in German?

The plural is die Computer (the computers). The word itself does not change, but the article changes from der to die. For example: "Ich habe zwei Computer" (I have two computers).

Are there any other German words for computer?

In everyday modern German, der Computer is the standard word. Older or more technical contexts might use die EDV (electronic data processing), but this is not common in casual conversation and is not a direct translation of "computer."

How do I say "computer science" in German?

Informatik is the German word for computer science. It is a feminine noun: die Informatik. If you are studying this subject in a German-speaking school or university, this is the term you will encounter.

Do Germans ever use a different word for laptop or desktop?

Der Laptop is used for laptops, and der Desktop-Computer or straightforward der Computer is used for desktop computers. Some people also say der PC (personal computer), pronounced "pay-tsay," though this is less common in modern German.