german

german — noun

IPA/ˈdʒɜː.mən/
KK[dʒˈɚmən]IPA/ˈdʒɝː.mən/
  • germansingular
  • germansplural

1. the West Germanic language that people use in Germany, Austria, parts of Switzer

1.nounA1
Definition

the West Germanic language that people use in Germany, Austria, parts of Switzerland, and in German-speaking communities around the world

Example

Darius is taking German classes at the community college this semester.

collocation: take/taking [language] classes / lessons

The letter was written in German, so Hoa asked a colleague to translate it.

passive: was written in [language]

Common collocations
  • speak German
  • learn German
  • in German
  • written in German
  • German speaker

Usage Note

Spoken as a national language by roughly 95 million people across Europe.

Common Mistakes

She is learning Germany.
She is learning German.
'Germany' is the name of the country; 'German' is the name of the language.

2. a person who was born in Germany, is a citizen of Germany, or has family origins

2.nounA1
Definition

a person who was born in Germany, is a citizen of Germany, or has family origins there

Example

The orchestra's conductor is a German named Heloísa Schmidt.

countable noun with article: a German

Arjun spent the afternoon with two Germans who showed him around Berlin.

plural form: two Germans

Common collocations
  • a German
  • two Germans
  • young German
  • fellow German

Usage Note

Distinguish from the adjective — 'a German engineer' modifies engineer; 'a German' refers to the person themselves.

Common Mistakes

He is a Germany.
He is a German.
'Germany' is a country; use 'German' for a person.

german — adjective

IPA/ˈdʒɜːmən/
KK[dʒˈɚmən]IPA/ˈdʒɜːrmən/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'German' refers specifically to the modern country of Germany, its people, language, and culture — for example, German cars, German beer, or German literature. 'Germanic' has a broader scope: it describes the ancient peoples who spoke Germanic languages (including Anglo-Saxons, Goths, and Vikings) and the language family that includes English, Dutch, and the Scandinavian languages. A learner would say 'German philosophy' for works from Germany, but 'Germanic mythology' for pre-Christian myths shared across northern Europe. Use 'German' for anything connected to the modern nation; use 'Germanic' for historical, linguistic, or cultural roots that go beyond Germany's borders.

German ↗Germanic ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • typically German
  • distinctly German
  • traditionally German

Phrases

  • German-speaking
  • German-born
  • German-made

Prepositions

  • from Germany
  • in German
  • of Germany

Etymology

LatinEnglish

The word 'German' entered English from Latin 'Germanus', the name the Romans gave to a group of tribes living east of the Rhine River. The Latin term may have come from a Celtic word meaning 'neighbour' or 'shouter' (referring to battle cries). It is not related to 'germane', which means 'relevant' and comes from a different Latin word, 'germanus', meaning 'having the same parents'.