Etymology

From Middle High German karpfe, from Old High German karpho. The Central German form karpe(n) was widespread in early modern German, well into Upper German territory. This might be a reason why the form has not been simplified to *Karfen (it being the only word in modern standard German in which -rpf- has not been simplified to -rf-). Further origin unsettled; compare English carp for more.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkaʁpfən/ (standard)
• IPA^(key): /ˈkaːpfən/ (common, especially northern and central Germany)