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.
pen / pin / apprentice
'der Stift' and 'der Kugelschreiber' are both writing instruments. But 'Stift' is more general and can mean many writing or drawing tools. 'Kugelschreiber' is more specific: it writes with ink that reaches the paper through a small ball at the tip. They can be confused because in everyday life people often simply say 'Stift', even when they actually mean a ballpoint pen. If you just need something to write with, 'Stift' sounds natural. If it is important that it is not a pencil or felt-tip pen, use 'Kugelschreiber'.
Für das Formular brauche ich einen Kugelschreiber, weil Bleistift nicht erlaubt ist.
I need a ballpoint pen for the form because pencil is not allowed.
Bei der Arbeit liegt immer ein Stift neben dem Telefon.
At work, there is always a pen next to the phone.