der  Griffel

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɡʁɪfl̩/

✍️ What exactly is a Griffel?

Der Griffel is a masculine noun with primarily two meanings:

1. A historical writing tool (Stylus): In the past, especially in schools, a Griffel (often made of slate or metal) was used to write or draw on a slate board (Schiefertafel). It left an erasable mark.

2. A part of a flower (Botany): In botany, der Griffel (Latin: Stylus) refers to the part of the pistil (Stempel) of a flower that connects the ovary (Fruchtknoten) to the stigma (Narbe). It guides the pollen tube.

3. Colloquial (dated/regional): Sometimes Griffel is used colloquially for fingers (“Nimm deine Griffel weg!” – “Get your fingers / mitts off!”). However, this usage is less common. 🖐️

⚠️ Attention: The main meanings are very different; the context clarifies which one is intended.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Under the Microscope: Der Griffel

The noun Griffel is masculine (männlich). The article is der. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Declension Tables

💡 Example Sentences

1. Historical writing tool:

   Oma erzählte, wie sie in der Schule mit einem Griffel auf der Tafel schrieb.
   (Grandma told how she wrote on the slate with a stylus at school.)

2. Botanical part:

   Der Griffel dieser Blüte ist besonders lang.
   (The style of this flower is particularly long.)

3. Colloquial (fingers):

   „Nimm deine Griffel da weg!“ ist eine etwas altmodische Art zu sagen „Finger weg!“.
   (“Get your mitts off!” is a somewhat old-fashioned way to say “Hands off!”)

When to Use 'Griffel'?

The use of Griffel strongly depends on the context:

• Historical writing tool: You'll mainly find the word in texts about the history of schools (Schule) or writing (Schreiben). It's rarely used for modern pens in everyday life, except perhaps ironically or in fixed idioms like „den Griffel fallen lassen“ (to stop working, call it a day).
• Botanical term: In biology and botany, „Griffel“ is a precise technical term for the part of the pistil (Stempel).
• Colloquial for fingers: This meaning is rather rare, regionally limited, and often sounds a bit rough or dated. It's mostly used in negative commands (“Pfoten weg!” – literally “paws off!” – is more common).

Confusion is unlikely as the contexts (school/history vs. botany vs. colloquial) are very distinct.

🧠 Mnemonics for Griffel

For the article (der): Imagine DER GReat teacheR holding DER GRiffel. The 'R' sound and the masculine teacher might help remember 'der'.

For the meanings: Think of 'grip': You had to grip the Griffel to write on the slate. And in nature, the flower's style (Griffel) helps 'grip' or guide the pollen.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

⚠️ Potential for Confusion:

Sometimes „Griffel“ might be incorrectly used for any pen or pencil, but this is uncommon. The botanical meaning is a clearly defined technical term.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: „Fritzchen, warum schreibst du nicht?“
Fritzchen: „Mein Griffel ist müde vom vielen Denken!“

Teacher asks: “Freddy, why aren't you writing?”
Freddy: “My stylus is tired from thinking so much!”

📜 A Poem about the Griffel

Auf dunkler Tafel, grau und alt,
Ein Griffel kratzt, die Spur wird kalt.
Einst Ziffern, Buchstaben, fein,
Heut' Staub und nur noch alter Schein.

Doch in der Blüte, zart und rein,
Streckt stolz der Griffel sich ins Sein.
Verbindet Welten, klein und groß,
Im Lebensrad, im Blütenschoß.

On slate board dark, both grey and old,
A stylus scrapes, the trace turns cold.
Once numbers, letters, finely made,
Now dust and just an ancient shade.

But in the blossom, pure and frail,
The style extends beyond the veil.
Connects the worlds, both small and grand,
In life's great wheel, held in flower's hand.

🧩 Who or What Am I?

Ich half beim Schreiben, als man klein,
auf Tafeln schwarz aus Schieferstein.
Auch in der Blume bin ich Teil,
verbinde Narbe, schnell wie'n Pfeil.
Manchmal sagt man's auch zur Hand –
Bin ich dir nun bekannt?

I helped with writing, when folks were small,
On dark slate boards, standing tall.
Within the flower, I play a part,
Connecting stigma, swift as a dart.
Sometimes they call your fingers so –
Am I now someone that you know?

Solution: Der Griffel (the stylus/style)

✨ Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word „Griffel“ comes from Old High German „griffil“, derived from the verb „greifen“ (to grip, grasp, seize). It originally referred to a pointed tool for engraving or scratching.
• Idiom: „Den Griffel fallen lassen“ (literally: to drop the stylus) is a colloquial way of saying to stop working or to call it a day.