Sündenbock

[ˈzʏndn̩ˌbɔk]

/[ˈzʏndn̩ˌbɔk]/ noun

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

The verdict

“Sündenbock” has 16 generated spelling variants in the German index at frequency #25,340. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#25,340
frequency rank, German
107,600
“S” headwords
16
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - jemand, der immer (und meist unberechtigt) für alle Fehler und Probleme verantwortlich gemacht wird

Key facts for Sündenbock
PropertyValue
HeadwordSündenbock
LanguageGerman
Part of speechNoun
IPA[ˈzʏndn̩ˌbɔk]
Letters10
Frequency rank#25,340
Misspellings tracked16
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “Sündenbock” 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). Sündenbock 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 16 spelling variants around Sündenbock (IPA [ˈzʏndn̩ˌbɔk]), anoun. Corpus frequency is #25,340 among 107,600 “S” headwords. Dominant gloss: "jemand, der immer (und meist unberechtigt) für alle Fehler und Probleme verantwortlich gemacht wird".

Our generated misspelling index lists 16 likely wrong-spelling variants for Sündenbock, with forms such as "snüdenbock", "ssündenbock", and "südnenbock". 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. Our dataset records no confusable match here, which typically means the spelling is too distinctive to be mistaken for another word.

Wiktionary doesn't record an etymology for this headword, so its spelling pattern is best understood through pronunciation rather than a traceable origin. The correct German form is Sündenbock, spelled S-Ü-N-D-E-N-B-O-C-K.

Definition

  1. 1
    jemand, der immer (und meist unberechtigt) für alle Fehler und Probleme verantwortlich gemacht wird

Synonyms

Prügelknabe

This word in other languages

scapegoat(English)cabeza de turco(Español)bouc émissaire(Français)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • snüdenbock
  • ssündenbock
  • südnenbock
  • sünddenbock
  • sündebnock
  • sündenbbock
  • sündenbcok
  • sündenbocck
  • sündenbockk
  • sündenbokc
  • sündennbock
  • sündenobck
  • sündnebock
  • sünednbock
  • sünndenbock
  • üsndenbock

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

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

snüdenbock2ssündenbock1südnenbock2sünddenbock1sündebnock2sündenbbock1sündenbcok2sündenbocck1
Edit distance from "Sündenbock"

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 "Sündenbock"?
"Sündenbock" is spelled S-Ü-N-D-E-N-B-O-C-K. The IPA pronunciation is [ˈzʏndn̩ˌbɔk].
What does "Sündenbock" mean?
As a noun, "Sündenbock" means: jemand, der immer (und meist unberechtigt) für alle Fehler und Probleme verantwortlich gemacht wird
What are common misspellings of "Sündenbock"?
Common misspellings include "snüdenbock", "ssündenbock", "südnenbock", "sünddenbock", "sündebnock". The correct spelling is "Sündenbock".
How do you pronounce "Sündenbock"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "Sündenbock" is [ˈzʏndn̩ˌbɔk]. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What language does "Sündenbock" come from?
"Sündenbock" 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 “Sündenbock”

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

  • The one correct German spelling is S-Ü-N-D-E-N-B-O-C-K - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as [ˈzʏndn̩ˌbɔk] (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • 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