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)

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