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Kobold

Folklore
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Household or mine spirit in German folklore, helpful or mischievous depending on treatment

Detailed Definition
Kobolds demand respect and offerings. In poetry, they embody the animism of domestic and subterranean spaces, often symbolizing the consequences of neglect or the rewards of care.
Example
Example in poetry:
Kobold, Germanic household spirit, appears in domestic poetry: "Kobold sweeps when no one’s home—leaves cobwebs shaped like stars"; Poets contrast his moods: "Kind if thanked, cruel if mocked—Kobold’s heart is easily bruised"; In industrial verse, he haunts mines: "Coal kobolds whisper in the dark—‘Leave this seam, or join the dead’"; His invisibility symbolizes unseen labor: "No Kobold, but someone cleans—love that works when no one sees"
Additional Notes
Kobold: A household or mine spirit in German folklore, helpful if respected but mischievous if offended. Related to brownies and goblins. In poetry, it represents domestic or industrial spirits, the unseen forces of place. Useful in worker-poetry or haunted-house verse; note regional variants (e.g., Heinzelmännchen in Cologne).
Also Known As
Kobold (German sprite) Mine kobold
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