German · Nature, Animals & Weather
"Butterfly" in German: Schmetterling
der Schmetterling
Butterfly in German is der Schmetterling, masculine. Plural is die Schmetterlinge. Kids' books love the long word.
Garden
Ein Schmetterling sitzt auf der Blume.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Schmetterling
Say it
SHMET-er-ling
/ˈʃmɛtɐlɪŋ/
SHMET-er-ling. Soft sch. Stress on Schmet. Clear -ling.
"Butterfly" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| der Schmetterling | butterfly Default. | Default. |
| die Schmetterlinge | butterflies Plural. | Plural. |
| Schmetterlingsflügel | butterfly wings Detail. | Detail. |
| Schmetterling im Bauch | butterflies in the stomach Nervous excitement idiom. | Nervous excitement idiom. |
How to use Schmetterling in real life
- 1Garden
Ein Schmetterling sitzt auf der Blume.
A butterfly is sitting on the flower.
Ein Schmetterling.
- 2Photo walk
Der Schmetterling fliegt von Rose zu Rose.
The butterfly flies from rose to rose.
Der Schmetterling.
- 3Nerves
Vor dem Date habe ich Schmetterlinge im Bauch.
Before the date I have butterflies in my stomach.
Idiom with Schmetterlinge.
Mistakes English speakers make with Schmetterling
Incorrect: die Schmetterling
Correct: der Schmetterling
Masculine: der Schmetterling.
Incorrect: der Butterfly
Correct: der Schmetterling
Use the German word.
Good to know
Schmetterling is a favorite long kids' word. The idiom Schmetterlinge im Bauch matches English butterflies in the stomach for crush nerves.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Noticing insects in a park
ChatPal
Was fliegt da so bunt?
What's flying there so colorful?
You
Ein Schmetterling. Ganz nah an uns.
A butterfly. Really close to us.
ChatPal
Bleib still — der Schmetterling setzt sich.
Stay still — the butterfly is landing.
You
Schön. Der Schmetterling hat blaue Flügel.
Beautiful. The butterfly has blue wings.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Butterfly" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Butterfly" in German
How do you say butterfly?
Der Schmetterling.
Plural?
Die Schmetterlinge.
Butterflies in the stomach?
Schmetterlinge im Bauch.
Gender?
Masculine: der Schmetterling.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
