Which to use
“fil” and “file” are a confusable German pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.
- #43,176
- “fil” frequency rank
- #24,335
- “file” frequency rank
- 67511
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | fil | file |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | mächtiges Säugetier mit Rüssel und Stoßzähnen; Elefant | Behältnis zur geordneten Aufbewahrung von Briefen oder anderen Dokumenten |
Where the spellings diverge
Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set fil and file apart are highlighted. They share 3 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.
Spelling & Dictionary Insight
A purely visual mix-up. fil ([fiɫ]) and file ([faɪl]) 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 extra letter(s) - “fil” sits inside “file”. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 67511, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
fil is recorded at frequency rank #43,176, classified as anoun, pronounced [fiɫ]. file is at rank #24,335, tagged as anoun, pronounced [faɪl].
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 67511, this pair ranks #537,844 of 2,006,359 scored German confusable pairs - roughly mid-pack for confusability.
Orthographic DNA of fil vs file
Shared letters: fil. Private to "fil": -. Private to "file": e.
"fil" · 3 letters · shape CVC · "file" · 4 letters · shape CVCV
Known mistypes of this pair
- file ← ffile · fille · flie · ifle
Frequency comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Can "fil" and "file" be used interchangeably?
Which is more common, "fil" or "file"?
Remembering fil vs file
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 “fil” entry
- Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable