Whether you’re sending documents, filling out paperwork, or just trying to get a second version of something, the word copy in German is essential. It shows up in offices, classrooms, and daily life — and helps you navigate situations with clarity and confidence.
The word is Kopie — pronounced “koh-PEE” (just like the English “copy,” but with emphasis on the second syllable).
Kopie is feminine, so it’s die Kopie. The plural is die Kopien. If you want a clear, simple explanation of how noun genders work in German, my gender video lesson is a great place to start.
Kopie is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and it’s especially helpful in practical, administrative, or academic settings.
Examples in all four cases:
Nominative:
Die Kopie ist nicht gut lesbar.
The copy isn’t easy to read.
Accusative:
Ich brauche die Kopie deines Ausweises.
I need the copy of your ID.
Dative:
Bitte gib das Formular der Kopie bei.
Please enclose the form with the copy.
Genitive:
Die Qualität der Kopie ist entscheidend.
The quality of the copy is crucial.
Real-World Tips for Learners
Kopie shows up often in admin settings, like in schools, offices, and banks. When you hear eine Kopie machen, it simply means “to make a copy.” At the copy shop, you might ask: Könnten Sie bitte eine Kopie davon machen? (Could you make a copy of this?)
This word also appears in digital contexts:
Kopie speichern – save a copy
in Kopie setzen (CC) – to CC someone on an email
Papierkopie – paper copy
digitale Kopie – digital copy
Kopie des Originals – copy of the original
You may also hear Fotokopie when someone means a photocopy. And in casual speech, people might just say eine Kopie von etwas machen for almost anything duplicated — from music files to IDs.
Just like in English, the idea of copying can also relate to imitation: Das ist nur eine schlechte Kopie (That’s just a bad copy). So the word can be used literally and figuratively.
Beginner dialogue using Kopie:
A: Haben Sie eine Kopie des Formulars?
B: Ja, hier ist sie.
A: Do you have a copy of the form?
B: Yes, here it is.
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Kopie.
“Wovon hast du zuletzt eine Kopie gemacht — und warum?”
What did you last make a copy of — and why?
Say your answer out loud in German and be sure to use Kopie in your sentence.
German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say copy in German — and how die Kopie helps you sound confident and capable in practical conversations.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German to expand your vocabulary with the words that really matter.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Kopf — and learn how to describe pain, thought, and emotion.
Or revisit Kreuz — and explore meaning, signs, and symbolism in daily life.