german: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral formal and informal; capitalized when referring to people or language.
Quick answer
What does “german” mean?
relating to Germany, its people, or its language.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
relating to Germany, its people, or its language.
A member of the European people who speak a Germanic language, or more specifically, the standard form of the West Germanic language of Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. Can also refer to something of high quality or strictness, often informally (e.g., 'German precision').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Both dialects capitalize the word in all senses.
Connotations
Historically neutral; modern usage carries connotations of efficiency, engineering, and organization. Post-WWII historical connotations are context-dependent.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects, given its role as a core demonym and language name.
Grammar
How to Use “german” in a Sentence
[be] + German[speak/learn/study] + GermanGerman + [noun (e.g., culture, language)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “german” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A (not a verb)
American English
- N/A (not a verb)
adverb
British English
- N/A (not a standard adverb)
American English
- N/A (not a standard adverb)
adjective
British English
- She bought a German car for its reliability.
- The German approach to the problem was methodical.
American English
- He studied German history in college.
- We visited a traditional German restaurant in Chicago.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to German markets, companies, or business partners. E.g., 'We are expanding our German operations.'
Academic
Referring to German studies, philosophy, literature, or historical periods. E.g., 'He specialises in 19th-century German thought.'
Everyday
Referring to nationality, language learning, travel, or products. E.g., 'My neighbour is German.' 'I'm trying to learn German.'
Technical
In linguistics, referring to the Germanic language family or West Germanic branch. In history, specifying regions, states, or cultural movements.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “german”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “german”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “german”
- Writing it in lower case ('german') is incorrect.
- Using it as a general term for languages spoken in Germanic countries other than Germany (e.g., Dutch, Swedish are not 'German').
- Confusing 'German' (the language) with 'Dutch' or 'Deutsch' in spoken contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in English, 'German' is always capitalised when it refers to the people, language, or things from Germany, as it is a proper adjective derived from a proper noun (Germany).
'German' specifically refers to modern Germany, its people, and its language. 'Germanic' is a broader linguistic and historical term referring to a branch of the Indo-European language family that includes German, English, Dutch, Swedish, etc., and the associated peoples.
Yes, 'German' is the standard noun for the language. For example, 'She speaks fluent German.' It is not preceded by an article in this context.
It is not offensive but may be historically specific. When referring to the period 1949-1990, 'East German' and 'West German' are standard. When referring to the modern unified country or its people, simply 'German' is appropriate.
relating to Germany, its people, or its language.
German is usually neutral formal and informal; capitalized when referring to people or language. in register.
German: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdʒɜː.mən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdʒɝː.mən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “German measles (dated term for rubella)”
- “to be/get/talk German (colloquial and rare, implying strictness or efficiency)”
- “German silver (an alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
GERMAN sounds like 'journey man' – think of a skilled traveller from Germany.
Conceptual Metaphor
GERMAN IS PRECISION / GERMAN IS EFFICIENCY (as in 'German engineering').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct capitalisation?