Which to use
“Apfel” and “Äpfeln” are a confusable German pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.
- #6,628
- “Apfel” frequency rank
- #29,444
- “Äpfeln” frequency rank
- 36072
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Apfel | Äpfeln |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | rundliche Frucht des Apfelbaums mit Schale, Fruchtfleisch und Kerngehäuse | Dativ Plural des Substantivs Apfel |
Where the spellings diverge
Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set Apfel and Äpfeln apart are highlighted. They share 4 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.
Spelling & Dictionary Insight
A purely visual mix-up. Apfel ([ˈap͡fl̩]) and Äpfeln ([ˈɛp͡fəln]) are said differently, so reading them aloud is the quickest way to catch the wrong one. On the page they stay close: they differ by 1 letter(s) in length. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 36072, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
Apfel is recorded at frequency rank #6,628, classified as anoun, pronounced [ˈap͡fl̩]. Äpfeln is at rank #29,444, tagged as anoun, pronounced [ˈɛp͡fəln].
Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.
With a confusion score of 36072, this pair ranks #1,624,632 of 2,006,359 scored German confusable pairs - a relatively easy-to-tell-apart pair.
Orthographic DNA of Apfel vs Äpfeln
Shared letters: eflp. Private to "Apfel": a. Private to "Äpfeln": nä.
"Apfel" · 5 letters · shape VCCVC · "Äpfeln" · 6 letters · shape VCCVCC
Known mistypes of this pair
- Apfel ← afpel · apefl · apfell · apffel · apfle · appfel · pafel
Frequency comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Can "Apfel" and "Äpfeln" be used interchangeably?
Which is more common, "Apfel" or "Äpfeln"?
Remembering Apfel vs Äpfeln
The fastest way to pick the right one every time.
- Read both glosses above and match the meaning you intend, only context separates this pair.
- See each word in full, definition, IPA, etymology and its other confusables. Full “Apfel” entry
- Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable