Which to use
“Kauf” and “Klaue” are a confusable German pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.
- #1,668
- “Kauf” frequency rank
- #38,224
- “Klaue” frequency rank
- 39892
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Kauf | Klaue |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | der entgeltliche Erwerb einer Ware | Hornteil des Tierfußes, besonders Huf von Wiederkäuern, Kralle von Raubvögeln |
Where the spellings diverge
Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set Kauf and Klaue 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. Kauf ([kaʊ̯f]) and Klaue ([ˈklaʊ̯ə]) 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 39892, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
Kauf is recorded at frequency rank #1,668, classified as anoun, pronounced [kaʊ̯f]. Klaue is at rank #38,224, tagged as anoun, pronounced [ˈklaʊ̯ə].
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 39892, this pair ranks #1,523,929 of 2,006,359 scored German confusable pairs - a relatively easy-to-tell-apart pair.
Orthographic DNA of Kauf vs Klaue
Shared letters: aku. Private to "Kauf": f. Private to "Klaue": el.
"Kauf" · 4 letters · shape CVVC · "Klaue" · 5 letters · shape CCVVV
Known mistypes of this pair
Frequency comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Can "Kauf" and "Klaue" be used interchangeably?
Which is more common, "Kauf" or "Klaue"?
Remembering Kauf vs Klaue
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 “Kauf” entry
- Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable