Känguru

[ˈkɛŋɡuʁu]

/[ˈkɛŋɡuʁu]/ noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

The verdict

“Känguru” has 10 generated spelling variants in the German index at frequency #26,082. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#26,082
frequency rank, German
55,078
“K” headwords
10
tracked misspellings
1
confusable pair

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - ein Beuteltier aus der Familie Macropodidae

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

Känguru vs Kängurus
88% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for Känguru
PropertyValue
HeadwordKänguru
LanguageGerman
Part of speechNoun
IPA[ˈkɛŋɡuʁu]
Letters7
Frequency rank#26,082
Misspellings tracked10
Confusable pairs1
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “Känguru” sits in German frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). Känguru lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 10 spelling variants around Känguru (IPA [ˈkɛŋɡuʁu]), anoun. Corpus frequency is #26,082 among 55,078 “K” headwords. Dominant gloss: "ein Beuteltier aus der Familie Macropodidae".

Our generated misspelling index lists 10 likely wrong-spelling variants for Känguru, with forms such as "kkänguru", "knäguru", and "kägnuru". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 1 confusable-pair relationship, "Kängurus", a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

This entry carries no recorded etymology, so its spelling pattern is best understood through pronunciation rather than a traceable origin. The correct German form is Känguru, spelled K-Ä-N-G-U-R-U.

Definition

  1. 1
    ein Beuteltier aus der Familie Macropodidae

Synonyms

BeutelhaseSpringbeutler

This word in other languages

macropod(English)canguro(Español)kangourou(Français)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • kkänguru
  • knäguru
  • kägnuru
  • kängguru
  • kängruu
  • kängurru
  • känguur
  • kännguru
  • känugru
  • äknguru

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of Känguru - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

kkänguru1knäguru2kägnuru2kängguru1kängruu2kängurru1känguur2kännguru1
Edit distance from "Känguru"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 German corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "Känguru"?
"Känguru" is spelled K-Ä-N-G-U-R-U. The IPA pronunciation is [ˈkɛŋɡuʁu].
What does "Känguru" mean?
As a noun, "Känguru" means: ein Beuteltier aus der Familie Macropodidae
What words are commonly confused with "Känguru"?
"Känguru" is commonly confused with "Kängurus". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "Känguru"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "Känguru" is [ˈkɛŋɡuʁu]. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What language does "Känguru" come from?
"Känguru" is a German word. PlainSpell's reference spans five languages -- English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German -- with definitions, pronunciations, and spelling data for each.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “Känguru”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct German spelling is K-Ä-N-G-U-R-U - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as [ˈkɛŋɡuʁu] (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “Kängurus” - see the side-by-side comparison. Känguru vs Kängurus
  • Browse more German words and confusable pairs in the same reference. German words

Same frequency band

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list