Which to use
“funktionieren” and “funktionierte” are a confusable German pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.
- #2,544
- “funktionieren” frequency rank
- #13,362
- “funktionierte” frequency rank
- 15906
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | funktionieren | funktionierte |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | vorschriftsmäßig arbeiten | 1. Person Singular Indikativ Präteritum Aktiv des Verbs funktionieren |
Where the spellings diverge
Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set funktionieren and funktionierte apart are highlighted. They share 12 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.
Spelling & Dictionary Insight
A purely visual mix-up. funktionieren ([fʊŋkt͡si̯oˈniːʁən]) and funktionierte ([fʊŋkt͡si̯oˈniːɐ̯tə]) are said differently, so reading them aloud is the quickest way to catch the wrong one. On the page they stay close: they share most of their letters but differ in 2 positions. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 15906, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
funktionieren is recorded at frequency rank #2,544, classified as averb, pronounced [fʊŋkt͡si̯oˈniːʁən]. funktionierte is at rank #13,362, tagged as averb, pronounced [fʊŋkt͡si̯oˈniːɐ̯tə].
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 15906, this pair ranks #1,940,187 of 2,006,359 scored German confusable pairs - a relatively easy-to-tell-apart pair.
Orthographic DNA of funktionieren vs funktionierte
Shared letters: efiknortu. Private to "funktionieren": -. Private to "funktionierte": -.
"funktionieren" · 13 letters · shape CVCCCVVCVVCVC · "funktionierte" · 13 letters · shape CVCCCVVCVVCCV
Known mistypes of this pair
- funktionieren ← ffunktionieren · fnuktionieren · fukntionieren · funkitonieren · funkktionieren · funktinoieren · funktioineren · funktioneiren
- funktionierte ← ffunktionierte · fnuktionierte · fukntionierte · funkitonierte · funkktionierte · funktinoierte · funktioinerte · funktioneirte
Frequency comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Can "funktionieren" and "funktionierte" be used interchangeably?
Which is more common, "funktionieren" or "funktionierte"?
Remembering funktionieren vs funktionierte
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 “funktionieren” entry
- Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable