In German
Bleistift
Meaning: pencil
Example sentences
IchschreibemiteinemBleistift.
I'm writing with a pencil.
HastdueinenBleistiftfürmich?
Do you have a pencil for me?
Grammar note
“Der Bleistift” is masculine, literally “lead-pen” (“Blei” = lead + “Stift” = pen/peg) — a holdover name from when pencil cores were thought to be lead. The general word “Stift” alone (see the [pen](/german/vocabulary/pen) page) can mean pen, crayon, or peg depending on context.
Common mistake
Don't use bare “Stift” when you specifically mean a pencil — “Stift” is a broader word for a thin writing/drawing tool; “Bleistift” is the precise word for a pencil.
Quick check
Which German word means “pencil”?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
Why is “Bleistift” built from “Blei” (lead)?
It's a historical name — pencil cores were once believed to be made of lead, though they're actually graphite.
What's the difference between “Bleistift” and “Stift”?
“Stift” is the general word for a pen-shaped writing tool; “Bleistift” specifically means a pencil.