ballpoint pen
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ballpoint pen
A writing instrument that transfers ink onto paper by means of a small rolling ball at the tip.
Kannst du mir bitte deinen Kugelschreiber leihen? Meiner schreibt nicht mehr.
Could you please lend me your ballpoint pen? Mine doesn't write anymore.
The word is made up of 'Kugel' (ball) and 'Schreiber' (writer, from 'schreiben' — to write). So it literally describes a writing instrument that writes with a ball.
Für das Formular brauchst du einen Kugelschreiber, keinen Bleistift.
For the form, you need a ballpoint pen, not a pencil.
In everyday speech, 'Kugelschreiber' (ballpoint pen) is very often shortened to 'Kuli' (ballpoint pen). This form is extremely common in spoken language.
Hast du mal einen Kuli für mich?
Do you have a pen for me?
Common phrases are 'mit einem Kugelschreiber unterschreiben' (to sign with a ballpoint pen), 'der Kugelschreiber ist leer' (the ballpoint pen is empty/out of ink), or 'der Kugelschreiber schmiert' (the ballpoint pen smudges).
Dieser Kugelschreiber ist fast leer, die Farbe wird schon blass.
This ballpoint pen is almost out of ink; the color is already getting faint.
