It might surprise you to learn how many meanings are packed into the word ball in German. It’s not just for games — you’ll find it in desserts, in science, in fairy tales, and even on the battlefield. That makes it a fun and flexible vocabulary word for any learner.
The word is Kugel — pronounced “KOO-guhl,” with a soft g like in good and a relaxed second syllable, like cuddle.
Kugel is feminine, so it’s die Kugel. The plural is die Kugeln. If gender feels tricky, my gender video lesson will make things much easier to grasp.
Kugel is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German — not just because of its literal meaning, but because of all the everyday situations where it appears.
Examples in all four cases:
Nominative:
Die Kugel ist perfekt rund.
The ball is perfectly round.
Accusative:
Ich nehme eine Kugel Eis.
I’ll take a scoop of ice cream.
Dative:
Er spielt mit der Kugel.
He’s playing with the ball.
Genitive:
Die Farbe der Kugel gefällt mir.
I like the color of the ball.
Real-World Tips for Learners
Kugel means “sphere” or “ball,” and it’s used for anything with a round or ball-like shape. In cafés and ice cream shops, you order eine Kugel Eis (a scoop of ice cream) — which is one of the most common uses. But it can also refer to a bullet, a globe, or even a Christmas ornament.
Useful combinations include:
eine Kugel Schokolade – a scoop of chocolate (ice cream)
eine goldene Kugel – a golden orb (often in fairy tales or fantasy)
eine Kugel im Kopf – a bullet to the head (used in news/crime contexts)
die Kugel rollt – the ball is rolling (literal or metaphorical)
In math or science, Kugel refers to any 3D sphere. It’s also used in phrases like:
Die Welt ist eine Kugel. – The world is a sphere.
And of course, in fairy tales:
Die goldene Kugel der Prinzessin fiel in den Brunnen.
The princess’s golden orb fell into the well.
Beginner dialogue using Kugel:
A: Welche Sorte möchtest du?
B: Eine Kugel Vanille, bitte.
A: What flavor would you like?
B: One scoop of vanilla, please.
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Kugel.
“Wann hast du zuletzt eine Kugel Eis gegessen – und welche Sorte war es?”
When was the last time you ate a scoop of ice cream — and what flavor was it?
Say your answer out loud in German and include Kugel in the sentence.
German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say ball in German — and how die Kugel opens up conversation about food, fun, physics, and fairy tales.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German to keep adding high-frequency, high-utility vocabulary to your day.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Kuchen — the sweet world of German cakes and cozy expressions.
Or revisit Kuh — simple, rural vocabulary that connects directly to food and nature.