Efeu

German

Alternative forms
  • Epheu (dated)

Etymology

From Middle High German ephöu, from Old High German ebhouwi, derived through popular association with houwi (“hay”) from older ebah. Possibly from Proto-Germanic *ibahs, from Proto-Indo-European *(h₁)ebʰ-. The spelling and pronunciation in modern German used to be Epheu [ˈeːpˌhɔʏ̯]. The contemporary -f- is a spelling pronunciation that emanated from the North, reinforced by forms in Central and Low German dialects with original -f- (compare Middle Low German īflōf, ifflōf, Ripuarian Effche). Akin to English ivy.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈeːfɔʏ̯/
  • Audio(file)

Noun

Efeu m or n (genitive Efeus, no plural)

  1. ivy

Declension
Declension of Efeu (uncountable)
singular
indef. def. noun
nominative ein der Efeu
genitive eines des Efeus
dative einem dem Efeu
accusative einen den Efeu

Further reading
  • Efeu in Duden online
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