It’s on churches, maps, signs, roads, and even in people’s gestures — the word cross in German turns up in more places than you might think. Whether you're talking about symbols or intersections, Kreuz is a surprisingly practical and common word to know.
The word is Kreuz — pronounced “kroits” (rhymes with “fights,” with a rolled R in the middle). It’s sharp, short, and easy to remember once you’ve heard it a few times.
Kreuz is neuter, so it’s das Kreuz. The plural is die Kreuze. To get a full grasp on gender and articles, especially with neutral nouns like this one, my gender video lesson is a great place to start.
Kreuz is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and it’s worth mastering early — especially if you travel, drive, or talk about health or belief.
Examples in all four cases:
Nominative:
Das Kreuz auf der Karte zeigt den Treffpunkt.
The cross on the map shows the meeting point.
Accusative:
Ich sehe das Kreuz an der Wand.
I see the cross on the wall.
Dative:
Mit dem Kreuz kann man den Ort markieren.
With the cross, you can mark the location.
Genitive:
Die Bedeutung des Kreuzes ist religiös.
The meaning of the cross is religious.
Real-World Tips for Learners
The most obvious use of Kreuz is as a Christian religious symbol — das Kreuz is “the cross,” and you'll find it on churches, in cemeteries, and in phrases like ein Kreuz machen (to make the sign of the cross).
But the word is much broader than that. In traffic, Kreuzung means “intersection,” and Autobahnkreuz refers to a motorway interchange. On forms or ballots, ein Kreuz machen means to put a checkmark or X next to your selection.
It also shows up in anatomy: das Kreuz is sometimes used to refer to the lower back or sacrum. If someone complains Ich habe Schmerzen im Kreuz, they mean back pain.
Metaphorically, sein Kreuz tragen (to carry one’s cross) means to endure suffering or difficulty — much like the Biblical origin, but used widely in both secular and religious contexts.
Other common compound words and phrases:
Kreuzfahrt – cruise (literally “cross voyage”)
Kreuzworträtsel – crossword puzzle
Kreuzschmerz – back pain
Kreuzung – intersection
Kreuz und quer – crisscross, all over the place
It’s a simple word with symbolic, physical, and directional meanings — all helpful to a German learner navigating both real roads and abstract conversations.
Beginner dialogue using Kreuz:
A: Ist das unser Kreuz auf der Karte?
B: Ja, dort sollen wir uns treffen.
A: Is that our cross on the map?
B: Yes, that’s where we’re supposed to meet.
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Kreuz.
“Wo hast du das letzte Mal ein Kreuz gesehen — und was hat es bedeutet?”
Where did you last see a cross — and what did it mean?
Say your answer out loud in German and be sure to use Kreuz in the sentence.
German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say cross in German — and how das Kreuz connects maps, signs, beliefs, and daily expressions.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and follow the path to confident German.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Kunst — and express creativity and mastery.
Or revisit Kunde — and practice everyday conversation in shops and services. Do you know how to say cow in German? What do Situation, Pause, and Phase have in common? Do you know how to say pill or gun in German?
Driving in Germany? Do you know the rules of the road well enough to ace the theoretical driving test? Check it out.