01
das Klavier
piano
A large keyboard instrument in which pressing keys makes small hammers strike strings to produce sounds.
example
Sie lernt seit fünf Jahren, Klavier zu spielen.
She has been learning to play piano for five years.
das Klavier
piano
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Meanings
Usage tips
Fixed expression
The most common combination is 'Klavier spielen' (to play piano). In this fixed expression, 'Klavier' is treated like part of the verb and appears without an article.
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder kann sehr gut Klavier spielen.
My brother can play piano very well.
Preposition 'am'
To express that someone is sitting at the instrument and playing or practicing, you use the preposition 'am' (at the). The phrase is 'am Klavier sitzen' (to sit at the piano).
EXAMPLE
Er saß stundenlang am Klavier und komponierte ein neues Lied.
He sat at the piano for hours and composed a new song.
Typical verbs
Besides 'spielen' (to play), 'Klavier üben' (to practice piano) and 'sich ans Klavier setzen' (to sit down at the piano) are also very common combinations.
EXAMPLE
Jeden Nachmittag muss ich eine Stunde Klavier üben.
Every afternoon I have to practice piano for an hour.
Compare with
Klavier vs Flügel
wing / grand piano
'der Flügel' and 'das Klavier' can both refer to a keyboard instrument. 'das Klavier' is the more general term. It fits different forms of this instrument, especially the normal piano at home or in a music school. 'der Flügel' is a special type of piano: large, broad, and often found in concert halls. The words can be confused because a grand piano is also a piano. But not every piano is a grand piano.
Klavier
Nach der Schule übt Lisa eine halbe Stunde am Klavier.
After school, Lisa practices piano for half an hour.
Flügel
Im Konzertsaal steht ein schwarzer Flügel auf der Bühne.
There is a black grand piano on the stage in the concert hall.
In real life
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