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Kugelschreiber

ballpoint pen

noun KOO-gel-shrai-ber Rare
Communication Writing

Origin: from Kugel (ball) + Schreiber (writer)

Also means

biro

Usage Note

Kugelschreiber is the standard German word for a ballpoint pen. Often shortened colloquially to Kuli. Introduced to Germany after World War II and now the most common writing instrument. Plural Kugelschreiber (unchanged).

Examples

"Hast du einen Kugelschreiber dabei? Ich muss etwas unterschreiben."

Natural Translation

Do you have a ballpoint pen with you? I need to sign something.

Literal Translation

Have you a ballpoint-pen with-you? I must something sign.

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