der Pen
pen injector
A small, pen-like device for administering medication, especially insulin.
EXAMPLE
Diabetiker benutzen oft einen Pen, um sich Insulin zu spritzen.
Diabetics often use a pen injector to inject themselves with insulin.
der Pen
pen
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Meanings
der Pen
stylus
An input pen for a computer, tablet, or graphics tablet that you can use to write or draw.
EXAMPLE
Mit dem Pen kann ich auf dem Tablet viel präziser arbeiten als mit dem Finger.
With the stylus, I can work much more precisely on the tablet than with my finger.
der Pen
pen drive
A colloquial but increasingly outdated term for a USB flash drive.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe die Fotos auf einem Pen gespeichert, den ich dir morgen gebe.
I saved the photos on a pen drive, which I'll give you tomorrow.
Usage tips
English loanword
'Pen' is a word from English. In German, however, it normally does not refer to an ordinary writing instrument with ink, but to a special pen-shaped device for technical or medical purposes.
EXAMPLE
Für mein neues Grafiktablett brauche ich einen speziellen Pen.
I need a special stylus for my new graphics tablet.
Meaning in context
You can tell what kind of 'Pen' it is from the context. Words like 'Insulin' (insulin) or 'spritzen' (to inject) point to a medical device, while 'Tablet' (tablet) or 'zeichnen' (to draw) refer to a stylus.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt zeigte ihr die richtige Anwendung des neuen Pens.
The doctor showed her how to use the new pen injector correctly.
Outdated meaning
The use of 'Pen' for a USB flash drive is becoming outdated today. In modern colloquial speech, the terms 'USB-Stick' (USB flash drive) or simply 'Stick' (flash drive) are much more common.
EXAMPLE
Hast du die Dokumente auf einem Stick gespeichert?
Did you save the documents on a flash drive?
Typical collocations
In a medical context, 'Pen' is often combined with the medication it contains. The most common compound is 'Insulin-Pen' (insulin pen).
EXAMPLE
Moderne Insulin-Pens sind sehr einfach zu bedienen.
Modern insulin pens are very easy to use.
Compare with
Pen vs Stift
pen / pin / apprentice
A Stift is a general term for a device used for writing or drawing, usually on paper. A Pen specifically is a digital stylus for computers or tablets. Stift is therefore appropriate for paper, while Pen is used for direct input on a screen.
Pen
Auf dem Tablet zeichnet Mia die Skizze mit einem Pen.
Mia draws the sketch on the tablet with a stylus.
Stift
Auf dem Papier zeichnet Mia die Skizze mit einem Stift.
Mia draws the sketch on paper with a pen.
In real life
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