Word: German

Pronunciation

/ˈdʒɜːrmən/

Definitions

• Adjective: Of or relating to Germany, its people, or their language. For example: “German cuisine is famous for its sausages and beer.”
• Noun: A person from Germany or a person whose ancestors came from Germany. For example: “Many Germans emigrated to the United States during the 19th century.”
• Noun (Language): The West Germanic language spoken mainly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. For example: “She’s fluent in German and often translates books from German to English.”

Phrases

• “German efficiency” refers to the stereotype of Germans being highly organized and efficient.
• “Speak German” means to communicate using the German language.
• “German reunification” refers to the process that led to the unification of East and West Germany in 1990.

Example Sentences

• Adjective: “He loves listening to German classical music.”
• Noun: “The German team won the World Cup tournament.”
• Noun (Language): “Learning German grammar was challenging but rewarding.”

Synonyms

• Deutschland (in German)
• Teutonic (archaic, referring to the ancient Germanic peoples)
• Deutsch (the German word for the German language)

Note on Usage

As an adjective, it can also be used to describe things originating or characteristic of Germany, such as “German engineering” or “German Shepherds” (a breed of dog). When referring to the language, ‘German’ is often capitalized when used generically ("He studied German literature").