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German

/ˈdʒʌrmən/
/ˈdʒʌmən/
IPA guide

Other forms: Germans

If something is German, it comes from the country of Germany. If you move there, you'll want to learn at least ein bisschen of the language, also called German.

As well as Germany, most people in Austria, Belgium, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Switzerland speak at least some German. When you refer to someone who was born in Berlin or Munich, you can also call them a German. As an adjective, this word describes things made in Germany (a German clock) or associated with Germany (a German Shepherd). Germans, on the other hand, describe themselves as Deutschen, residents of Deutschland.

Definitions of German
  1. adjective
    of or pertaining to or characteristic of Germany or its people or language
    German philosophers”
    German universities”
    German literature”
  2. noun
    a person of German nationality
    see moresee less
    examples:
    Arminius
    German hero; leader at the battle of Teutoburger Wald in AD 9 (circa 18 BC - AD 19)
    types:
    Teuton
    someone (especially a German) who speaks a Germanic language
    East German
    a native or inhabitant of the former republic of East Germany
    Berliner
    an inhabitant of Berlin
    Prussian
    a German inhabitant of Prussia
    Bavarian
    a native or an inhabitant of Bavaria
    West Berliner
    an inhabitant of West Berlin
    Junker
    member of the Prussian aristocracy noted especially for militarism
    type of:
    European
    a native or inhabitant of Europe
  3. noun
    the standard German language; developed historically from West Germanic
    see moresee less
    types:
    Old High German
    High German prior to 1200
    Middle High German
    High German from 1100 to 1500
    Yiddish
    a dialect of High German including some Hebrew and other words; spoken in Europe as a vernacular by many Jews; written in the Hebrew script
    Pennsylvania Dutch
    a dialect of High German spoken in parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland
    type of:
    West Germanic, West Germanic language
    a branch of the Germanic languages
Pronunciation
US
/ˈdʒʌrmən/
UK
/ˈdʒʌmən/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘German'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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