Knauf

German

Etymology

From Middle High German knouf, from Old High German knouf, from Proto-Germanic *knaupaz, one of several kn- words related to *knuttô (“knot”).

Cognate with Dutch knoop. Also related with German Knopf, Dutch knop and further with German Knubbel, Dutch knobbel, English knob.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /knaʊ̯f/

• Audio

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aʊ̯f

Noun

Knauf m (strong, genitive Knaufes or Knaufs, plural Knäufe)

1. knob, doorknob, stud

Usage notes

• Though generally understood, the word is rare in some regions, including western Germany. Knopf or Türknopf is used instead.

Declension

Declension of Knauf [masculine, strong]

	singular			plural
	indef.	def.	noun	def.	noun
nominative	ein	der	Knauf	die	Knäufe
genitive	eines	des	Knaufes, Knaufs	der	Knäufe
dative	einem	dem	Knauf, Knaufe1	den	Knäufen
accusative	einen	den	Knauf	die	Knäufe

¹Now rare, see notes.

Derived terms

• Türknauf

Further reading

• “Knauf” in Duden online
• “Knauf” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache