Whether you're talking about energy, barbecue fuel, or just a stack of cash, knowing how to say coal in German is more useful than you might think. This word bridges literal meanings and casual slang, making it a fun and practical one to add to your vocabulary.
The word is Kohle — pronounced “KOH-leh,” with the first syllable rhyming with go and the second sounding like leh in let. It’s easy to say and very common, even in unexpected contexts.
Kohle is feminine, so it's die Kohle. The plural is die Kohlen — usually referring to pieces or types of coal. If gender and article rules are still confusing, you can get clarity in my gender video lesson.
It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, showing up in both industrial discussions and everyday slang for money.
Examples in all four cases:
Nominative:
Die Kohle ist noch nicht heiß genug.
The coal isn’t hot enough yet.
Accusative:
Er hat die Kohle ins Feuer gelegt.
He placed the coal into the fire.
Dative:
Ich arbeite mit der Kohle jeden Tag.
I work with the coal every day.
Genitive:
Der Geruch der Kohle ist stark.
The smell of the coal is strong.
Real-World Tips for Learners
Kohle is used in two very different but common ways: literally, as the black rock used for heating and energy, and informally, as a slang term for money — similar to “dough” or “cash” in English.
In its literal sense, it appears in phrases like:
mit Kohle grillen – to barbecue with coal
Kohle abbauen – to mine coal
die Kohlen glühen noch – the coals are still glowing
But in slang, you’ll hear:
Hast du genug Kohle? – Do you have enough money?
Ich brauche Kohle fürs Wochenende. – I need cash for the weekend.
Er verdient viel Kohle. – He earns a lot of money.
This informal use is widely understood and used across generations, especially in casual speech.
Beginner dialogue using Kohle:
A: Wie viel Kohle hast du für den Ausflug?
B: Nur zehn Euro, leider.
A: How much cash do you have for the trip?
B: Only ten euros, unfortunately.
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Kohle.
“Was würdest du tun, wenn du plötzlich ganz viel Kohle hättest?”
What would you do if you suddenly had a lot of money?
Say your answer out loud in German and include Kohle in the sentence.
German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say coal in German — and how die Kohle can heat a grill or fill your wallet, depending on the context.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German to grow your vocabulary in ways that match both conversation and culture.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Kommandant — perfect for learning authority-based terms.
Or revisit König — for building historical and metaphorical vocabulary.