Pronunciation: [fˈe͡ɪl] (IPA) 
The German word "pfeil" (meaning "arrow" in English) is spelled with a "p" at the beginning, although it is pronounced with an "f" sound. This is because in German, the letter "p" followed by an "f" sound is spelled with a "pf" digraph. The IPA phonetic transcription for "pfeil" is /pfʌɪl/, reflecting this pronunciation. This may seem confusing to English speakers, but it is common in German and must be memorized when learning the language.
Pfeil is a German noun that translates to "arrow" in English. The term is primarily associated with the weapon, arrow, which is used for shooting or archery. An arrow is a pointed projectile made from wood, metal, or other materials, with a shaft attached to a pointed head on one end and stabilizing flights on the other. It is designed to be shot from a bow or crossbow with the intention of hitting a target.
In a broader sense, pfeil can also refer to an arrow-like shape, symbol, or graphic element used for various purposes, such as directional signs, graphic design, or website navigation icons that point in a specific direction. The shape of an arrow is characterized by a straight line combined with a pointed triangular head and sometimes features external protrusions known as fletchings.
Furthermore, the term pfeil is also occasionally used metaphorically in German to express concepts related to arrows or the characteristics associated with them. For instance, in the context of conversation or written texts, "einen Pfeil im Köcher haben" (having an arrow in one's quiver) often refers to being well-prepared with ideas, solutions, or resources for a particular situation.
Overall, pfeil is an integral part of archery and represents an ancient projectile tool as well as a widely recognizable graphical symbol.
The word "pfeil" is derived from the Old High German word "phēgil", which ultimately traces back to the Proto-Germanic word "*fēlagilaz". This Proto-Germanic term refers to an "arrow" or "projectile", and is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*pele-" meaning "to strike" or "to throw". The word has undergone phonetic changes over time, such as the shift from "ph" to "f" and the loss of the final "g" in its spelling.
