From Latin Germānus, Germānī (“the peoples of Germānia”), as distinct from Gauls (in the writings of Caesar and Tacitus), and of uncertain ultimate origin (possibly Celtic/Gaulish).
Not related to german (“closely related”) or germane (from the Latin adjective germānus, through Old French).
Attested since at least 1520. Replaced the older terms Almain and Dutch (from Proto-Germanic *þiudiskaz) in English. Besides cognates of German, Almain, and Dutch, two other categories of words for the Germans in other languages are cognates of Saxon and descendants of Proto-Slavic *němьcь; see those entries for more.
The surname is generally from the noun, though sometimes confused with Herman, Hermann under Russian influence. As a German surname, Americanized from Germann. Compare Germán, Germain, Jerman.
Meanings
Of or relating to the nation of Germany.
In Prussia, always the most progressive of the German states during the Weimar years and a stronghold of the two parties, Jews could be found in virtually all administrative departments […]. 2001, Donald L. Niewyk, The Jews in Weimar Germany, →ISBN, page 31:
The vote in the Bundestag (parliament) on Thursday makes defiling foreign flags equal to the crime of defiling the German flag. 2020 May 15, “Burning EU and other flags can now bring German jail term”, in BBC, archived from the original on 04 Jun 2025:
Of or relating to the natives or inhabitants of Germany; to people of German descent; to their cultures.
Goths, a German tribe, 9; allied with other tribes against Rome, 39; … 1889, Theodore S. Fay, The three Germanys: glimpses into their history, vol. II, p. 1270 (inside the index)
Her German husband has blond hair.
If Demandt's essay served as a strident example of the German desire for normalcy, a more subtle example was provided by a brief allohistorical depiction of a Nazi victory in World War II written by German historian Michael Salewski in 1999. 2005 May 23, Gavriel D. Rosenfeld, The World Hitler Never Made: Alternate History and the Memory of Nazism, Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 182:
Of, in or relating to the German language.
In this manner there existed, about the time of the Reformation, three grand divisions of the German language, viz. the Upper German (Ober Deutsch), the Low German (Nieder Deutsch, or Platt Deutsch), and lastly the High German (Hoch Deutsch). 1816, George Henry Noehden, A Grammar of the German Language, 3rd edition, page 3:
Because the instructions were German, Yves couldn't read them.
To trace its progress, it will be necessary to enter into detail, and to examine the German language in its two great divisions, the Low and High German. 1838, Joseph Bosworth, A Dictionary of the Anglo-saxon Language, page xiii:
This volume is intended to provide a survey of the linguistic characteristics of modern German dialects …. These are defined geographically as those within the borders of the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, Austria, the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, the German-speaking part of Switzerland, and Alsace in France ([..]). 1990, Charles V.J. Russ, Introduction, in: Charles V.J. Russ (ed.), The Dialects of Modern German: A Linguistic Survey, p. xviii (note: the work covers Frisian, Low and High German dialects)
mn герман (of or relating to the German people) · eo germana (of or relating to the German people) · pdt dietsch (nds) (of or relating to the German language) · bn আলমানী (of or relating to the country of Germany) · dsb nimski (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ast alemán (of or relating to the German language) · ia german (of or relating to the country of Germany) · rom nyamcicko (of or relating to the country of Germany) · is þýskur (of or relating to the country of Germany) · gl alemán (of or relating to the German people) · be няме́цкі (of or relating to the German language) · haw Kelemānia (of or relating to the German language) · nds dütsch (of or relating to the country of Germany) · az alman (of or relating to the country of Germany) · sh њѐмачкӣ (of or relating to the German language) · co tedescu (of or relating to the German language) · de düütsch (of or relating to the country of Germany) · bg герма́нски (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ja 独 (of or relating to the country of Germany) · hy գերմանական (of or relating to the country of Germany) · oc alemand (of or relating to the country of Germany) · sjd ерманскэ (of or relating to the German people) · lo ເຢຍຣະມັນ (of or relating to the country of Germany) · mn герман (of or relating to the German language) · mhn taitsch (of or relating to the German people) · ms Jerman (of or relating to the country of Germany) · cy Almaenaidd (of or relating to the country of Germany) · rm tudais-ch (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ga Gearmáinise (of or relating to the German language) · sh njèmačkī (of or relating to the German language) · ko 도이췰란드의 (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ta இடாய்ச்சு (of or relating to the German people) · ta ஜெர்மன் (of or relating to the German language) · cv нимӗҫ (of or relating to the country of Germany) · vi Đức (of or relating to the country of Germany) · sh nèmačkī (of or relating to the country of Germany) · tk nemes (of or relating to the country of Germany) · mn герман (of or relating to the country of Germany) · de deutsch (of or relating to the German people) · te జర్మను (of or relating to the German language) · el γερμανικός (of or relating to the German language) · be няме́цкі (of or relating to the country of Germany) · cv герман (of or relating to the country of Germany) · sh њѐмачкӣ (of or relating to the country of Germany) · rm tudas-ch (of or relating to the German people) · ka გერმანული (of or relating to the German people) · yi דײַטש (of or relating to the German people) · cs německý (of or relating to the German language) · ta ஜெர்மன் (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ba немец (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ka გერმანული (of or relating to the German language) · cy Almaenig (of or relating to the country of Germany) · vo hi-Deutänanik (of or relating to the German people) · sah ниэмэс (of or relating to the country of Germany) · rm tudais-ch (of or relating to the German language) · vo Deutänapükik (of or relating to the German language) · gmw-cfr dütsch (of or relating to the country of Germany) · rm tudestg (of or relating to the German language) · ca alemany (of or relating to the German language) · lb däitsch (of or relating to the country of Germany) · gd Gearmailteach (of or relating to the country of Germany) · mhn taitsch (of or relating to the country of Germany) · af Duits (of or relating to the country of Germany) · cu ⱀⱑⰿⱐⱍⱐⱄⰽⱏ (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ast alemán (of or relating to the German people) · mk германски (of or relating to the country of Germany) · rm germanais (of or relating to the country of Germany) · hu német (of or relating to the German language) · ms orang Jerman (of or relating to the German people) · ru неме́цкий (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ms bahasa Jerman (of or relating to the German language) · rm germanais (of or relating to the German language) · te జర్మను (of or relating to the country of Germany) · vo Deutänanik (of or relating to the German people) · tg олмонӣ (of or relating to the country of Germany) · fi saksalainen (of or relating to the country of Germany) · nds düüts (of or relating to the German language) · tg немисӣ (of or relating to the country of Germany) · haw Kelemānia (of or relating to the German people) · ga Gearmánach (of or relating to the country of Germany) · nds düütsch (of or relating to the country of Germany) · fkv tyskäläinen (of or relating to the country of Germany) · sh нѐмачкӣ (of or relating to the German language) · ar أَلْمَانِيّ (of or relating to the German language) · et saksa (of or relating to the country of Germany) · sv tyskspråkig (of or relating to the German language) · es alemán (of or relating to the German people) · gl alemán (of or relating to the German language) · sjd ерманскэ (of or relating to the country of Germany) · gd Gearmailteach (of or relating to the German language) · haw Kelemānia (of or relating to the country of Germany) · bg не́мски (of or relating to the German language) · it tedesco (of or relating to the country of Germany) · sh nèmačkī (of or relating to the German language) · zh 德 (of or relating to the country of Germany) · la germanicus (of or relating to the country of Germany) · hi जरमन (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ta ஜெர்மானிய (of or relating to the German people) · ru неме́цкий (of or relating to the German people) · zh 德國 /德国 (of or relating to the country of Germany) · cy Almaeneg (of or relating to the German language) · kk неміс (of or relating to the country of Germany) · sh нѐмачкӣ (of or relating to the country of Germany) · nds düütsch (of or relating to the German people) · ce немцойн (of or relating to the country of Germany) · lo ເຢັຽລະມັນ (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ast alemán (of or relating to the country of Germany) · tt алман (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ur جرمن (of or relating to the country of Germany) · de deutsch (of or relating to the German language) · lt vokiškas (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ru герма́нский (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ky немец (of or relating to the country of Germany) · la theodiscus (of or relating to the country of Germany) · pt alemão (of or relating to the German language) · nap germanése (of or relating to the country of Germany) · lv vācu (of or relating to the German language) · cu нѣмьчьскъ (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ta செருமன் (of or relating to the German language) · pdt dietsch (nds) (of or relating to the country of Germany) · rm tudais-ch (of or relating to the German people) · ms Jerman (of or relating to the German language) · ps المانی (of or relating to the German language) · id Jerman (of or relating to the country of Germany) · br alaman (of or relating to the country of Germany) · cv нимӗҫ (of or relating to the German language) · lv vācu (of or relating to the German people) · cs německý (of or relating to the country of Germany) · gug Alemaniagua (of or relating to the country of Germany) · pt germânico (of or relating to the German people) · sv tysk (of or relating to the country of Germany) · fi saksankielinen (of or relating to the German language) · lt vokiškas (of or relating to the German people) · te జర్మను (of or relating to the German people) · nl Duitse (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ms Jerman (of or relating to the German people) · de tüütsch (of or relating to the country of Germany) · cv нимӗҫ (of or relating to the German people) · my ဂျာမနီ (of or relating to the country of Germany) · sq gjerman (of or relating to the country of Germany) · sv tysk (of or relating to the German people) · mk германски (of or relating to the German language) · fa آلمانی (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ur المانی (of or relating to the country of Germany) · vo Deutänik (of or relating to the country of Germany) · co tedescu (of or relating to the German people) · vo ji-Deutänanik (of or relating to the German people) · is þýskur (of or relating to the German people) · ps المانی (of or relating to the country of Germany) · nb tysk (of or relating to the country of Germany) · nds düütsch (of or relating to the German language) · lt vokiškas (of or relating to the German language) · hy գերմաներեն (of or relating to the German language) · nl Duits (of or relating to the country of Germany) · af Duits (of or relating to the German language) · sh njèmačkī (of or relating to the country of Germany) · nn germansk (of or relating to the German people) · uk німе́цький (of or relating to the German language) · ta ஜெர்மானிய (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ba герман (of or relating to the country of Germany) · tg германӣ (of or relating to the country of Germany) · es alemán (of or relating to the country of Germany) · fi saksalainen (of or relating to the German people) · ps المانی (of or relating to the German people) · ps آلماني (of or relating to the country of Germany) · uk німе́цький (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ta இடாய்ச்சு (of or relating to the country of Germany) · bn আলমানী (of or relating to the German language) · mi tiamana (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ka გერმანული (of or relating to the country of Germany) · hu német (of or relating to the country of Germany) · de deutsch (of or relating to the country of Germany) · nb germansk (of or relating to the German people) · co tedesca (of or relating to the German people) · ug نېمىس (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ta இடாய்ச்சு (of or relating to the German language) · el γερμανικός (of or relating to the German people) · nds duitsk (of or relating to the German language) · eu aleman (of or relating to the country of Germany) · el γερμανικός (of or relating to the country of Germany) · eo germana (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ce немцойн (of or relating to the German language) · rm tudestg (of or relating to the country of Germany) · rm germanais (of or relating to the German people) · ar أَلْمَانِيّ (of or relating to the country of Germany) · dsb nimski (of or relating to the German language) · rm tudas-ch (of or relating to the German language) · dsb nimski (of or relating to the German people) · fr allemand (of or relating to the country of Germany) · is þýskur (of or relating to the German language) · ga Gearmánach (of or relating to the German people) · nv Bééshbichʼahii bi- (of or relating to the country of Germany) · es alemán (of or relating to the German language) · lv vācu (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ka გერმანიის (of or relating to the country of Germany) · fy Dútsk (of or relating to the country of Germany) · pt alemão (of or relating to the German people) · rue нїме́цькый (of or relating to the country of Germany) · br alamanek (of or relating to the German language) · bn আলমানী (of or relating to the German people) · ca alemany (of or relating to the German people) · bg не́мски (of or relating to the country of Germany) · sk nemecký (of or relating to the country of Germany) · af Duits (of or relating to the German people) · cy Almaenaidd (of or relating to the German people) · mhn taitsch (of or relating to the German language) · nds düütsk (of or relating to the German language) · da tysk (of or relating to the country of Germany) · pt alemão (of or relating to the country of Germany) · vec todésco (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ca alemany (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ru неме́цкий (of or relating to the German language) · ja ドイツの (of or relating to the country of Germany) · km អាល្លឺម៉ង់ (of or relating to the country of Germany) · sjd ерманскэ (of or relating to the German language) · uz nemis (of or relating to the country of Germany) · pdt dietsch (nds) (of or relating to the German people) · ta ஜெர்மன் (of or relating to the German people) · ko 독일의 (of or relating to the country of Germany) · yi דײַטשיש (of or relating to the country of Germany) · he גֶּרְמָנִי (of or relating to the country of Germany) · gmw-cfr dütsch (of or relating to the German people) · sv tysk (of or relating to the German language) · rm tudas-ch (of or relating to the country of Germany) · sl némški (of or relating to the country of Germany) · eu alemaniar (of or relating to the country of Germany) · ky немис (of or relating to the country of Germany) · pt germânico (of or relating to the country of Germany) · gl alemán (of or relating to the country of Germany) · th เยอรมัน (of or relating to the country of Germany) · nn tysk (of or relating to the country of Germany) · za Dwzgoz (of or relating to the country of Germany) · rm tudestg (of or relating to the German people) · ro german (of or relating to the country of Germany) · cy Almaenig (of or relating to the German people) · kmr elmanî (of or relating to the country of Germany) · co tedescu (of or relating to the country of Germany) · tr Alman (of or relating to the country of Germany) · pl niemiecki (of or relating to the country of Germany) · nds düüdsch (of or relating to the country of Germany)
From Latin Germānus, Germānī (“the peoples of Germānia”), as distinct from Gauls (in the writings of Caesar and Tacitus), and of uncertain ultimate origin (possibly Celtic/Gaulish).
Not related to german (“closely related”) or germane (from the Latin adjective germānus, through Old French).
Attested since at least 1520. Replaced the older terms Almain and Dutch (from Proto-Germanic *þiudiskaz) in English. Besides cognates of German, Almain, and Dutch, two other categories of words for the Germans in other languages are cognates of Saxon and descendants of Proto-Slavic *němьcь; see those entries for more.
The surname is generally from the noun, though sometimes confused with Herman, Hermann under Russian influence. As a German surname, Americanized from Germann. Compare Germán, Germain, Jerman.
Meanings
(countable) A native or inhabitant of Germany; a person of German citizenship or nationality.
The holiday evolved over centuries as it was observed by different groups, from the Celts to Germans to the Pennsylvania Dutch and eventually, by those in other parts of the US. 2023 February 1, Scottie Andrew, “The bizarre history of Groundhog Day”, in CNN, archived from the original on 18 Jul 2024:
(countable, historical, uncountable) A member of a Germanic tribe.
Rome was sacked by Germans and the Western Roman Empire collapsed.
(countable, uncountable) A German wine.
The wine list harbours some great bottles, mature clarets and Burgundies as well as a clutch of fine Germans (gold-dust these days in restaurants) […] 1996, Jim Ainsworth, Passport's Guide to Britain's Best Restaurants:
[…] tie them tightly in a thickly floured cloth, and boil them for three hours and a half. We can recommend this as a remarkably light small rich pudding : it may be served with German, wine, or punch sauce. 1858, Eliza Acton, Modern Cookery in All Its Branches: Reduced to a System of Easy Practice, for the Use of Private Families : in a Series of Receipts, which Have Been Strictly Tested, and are Given with the Most Minute Exactness : to which are Added Directions for Carving, Garnishing, and Setting Out the Table, with a Table of Weights and Measures, page 279:
(US, dated, rare, uncountable) A size of type between American and Saxon, 1+¹⁄₂-point type.
(Multicultural-London-English, countable, slang, uncountable) A Germany-produced car, a “German whip”.
In my German, they calling me a baller (skrr)
Got me feeling like Özil 2021 May 21, “Plugged In Freestyle”, Big Tobz in Big Tobz & Blittz (lyrics), Fumez The Engineer (music), 0:13–0:16:
(UK, countable, slang, uncountable) A prison warder.
There are some 32 different terms for prison officers, from the humorously affectionate kanga(rhyming slang:kangaroo = screw) and the variants Scooby-Doo and Dr. Who via the mildly confrontational German (as if still the enemy over 50 years after World War II!) to the outright abuse of shit-parcel. 1996, Angela Devlin, Prison Patter, Waterside Press, →ISBN:
(abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable) Ellipsis of German cockroach.
Zipser German (Terms derived from German (common noun)) · Judeo-German (Terms derived from German (common noun)) · High German (Terms derived from German (common noun)) · Pennsylvania German (Terms derived from German (common noun)) · Swiss-German (Terms derived from German (common noun)) · Swiss German (Terms derived from German (common noun)) · Volga German (Terms derived from German (common noun))
cy Almaenwr (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · lt germanas (member of a Germanic tribe) · it germano (member of a Germanic tribe) · ko 독일 사람 (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ar جِرْمَانِيَّة (member of a Germanic tribe) · lou alman (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ta ஜெர்மன் (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ota آلامان (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · hsb Němc (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · hy գերմանացի (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · ar جِرْمَانِيُّون (member of a Germanic tribe) · sh Némac (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fkv tyskäläinen (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · pl Niemiec (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · de Deutsche (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · fa ژرمن (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · de Deutscher (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · la Germanica (member of a Germanic tribe) · rm Tudais-cha (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · zh 德國人 /德国人 (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · kmr Almanî (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · vi người Đức (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · af Duitser (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · yi דײַטש (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · fo týskari (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · tk nemes (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · li pruus (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · sh Нѐмица (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · nl Duitser (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · pt germânica (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · cv нимӗҫ (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · ro neamț (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fa ژرمن (member of a Germanic tribe) · pl Germanin (member of a Germanic tribe) · paw Taacpara (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ar أَلْمَانِيّ (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · nb tysker (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · rup gherman (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · et sakslane (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · pl Niemka (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ru герма́нка (member of a Germanic tribe) · bn আলমানী (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · lv vācietis (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ce девто (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · ca germànic (member of a Germanic tribe) · sh Gèrmānka (member of a Germanic tribe) · ko 독일인 (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · rm Tudestga (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · rm Tudestg (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · nl achtste cicero (1½-point type) · pt alemão (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · es alemán (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · rm Tudais-cha (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · ko 도이췰란드 사람 (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ro germană (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · fy Dútse (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · sl Némec (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · mk Немец (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ru герма́нец (member of a Germanic tribe) · te జర్మను (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · mk Германка (member of a Germanic tribe) · sh Gèrmān (member of a Germanic tribe) · rm Tudas-cha (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · da tysker (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ru не́мец (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · rup ghirmanã (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · sk Nemka (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · eu aleman (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · nn germanar (member of a Germanic tribe) · dsb Nimcowka (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · bn এলেমান (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · scn girmànicu (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · fa آلمانی (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · yi דײַטש (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · nb germaner (member of a Germanic tribe) · scn tudisca (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · da tyskere (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · cs Germán (member of a Germanic tribe) · he גֶּרְמָנִי (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ar أَلْمَانِيَّة (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · sq gjermane (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · paw Ctaacpara (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · rm Tudas-ch (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · rm Tudestga (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · ps المانۍ (member of a Germanic tribe) · ce лоьмсо (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · hy գերման (member of a Germanic tribe) · he גרמני (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · az alman (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · is Germani (member of a Germanic tribe) · bn জার্মানীয় (member of a Germanic tribe) · bn জার্মান (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · sw Mjerumani (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ro german (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · scn girmànica (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · rm Tudas-cha (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · ms Jermanik (member of a Germanic tribe) · nn tyskar (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · ar جِرْمَانِيّ (member of a Germanic tribe) · ro german (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · rm Tudais-ch (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · uk ні́мка (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · sh Njèmica (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · rm Tudestg (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · unm Chìchëman (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · ce немцо (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · nb tysker (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ro germanic (member of a Germanic tribe) · mk Германец (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · tr Alman (member of a Germanic tribe) · es germana (member of a Germanic tribe) · os немыцаг (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ce лоьмсо (member of a Germanic tribe) · mn герман хүн (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · is Þjóðverji (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ca alemanya (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · nv Béésh Bichʼahii (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · sv tysk (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fr Allemand (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fy Dútse (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · gl alemán (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · hu német (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · gd Gearmailteach (member of a Germanic tribe) · pt alemã (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · rm Germanaisa (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · pt germana (member of a Germanic tribe) · cs Němka (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · zh 德意志人 (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · de Deutsche (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · bn জার্মান (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · scn tudiscu (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · cy Almaenwr (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · ast alemana (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · el Γερμανός (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · be не́мка (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · mia meelawaatawia (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fr Allemande (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · lt vokietė (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · sk Nemec (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ce девто (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ga Gearmánach (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · mk Герман (member of a Germanic tribe) · ps آلماني (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · nl Germaan (member of a Germanic tribe) · fy Germaanse (member of a Germanic tribe) · pl Niemka (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · mk Германка (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · es germano (member of a Germanic tribe) · hsb Němka (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · gd Gearmailteach (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · lv vāciete (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · it germana (member of a Germanic tribe) · io Germano (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · bg не́мец (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fi saksalainen (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ka გერმანელი (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · gl alemá (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · abe Alemôn (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · sh Гѐрма̄н (member of a Germanic tribe) · dv އަލްމާނީ (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · el Γερμανίδα (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · it tedesco (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · cv нимӗҫ (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fy Germaan (member of a Germanic tribe) · es alemana (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · de Achtelcicero (1½-point type) · uz nemis (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · pt germânico (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · it tedesca (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · uk ні́мець (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · de Germanin (member of a Germanic tribe) · lt vokietis (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · nn tyskar (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fi saksatar (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · gd Gearmailteach (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ug نېمىس (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fi saksalainen (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · mr जर्मन (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · gl xermana (member of a Germanic tribe) · ro nemțoaică (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · bg немки́ня (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · sh Гѐрма̄нка (member of a Germanic tribe) · hi जरमन (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ja ドイツ人 (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · hy գերմանացի (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fi saksatar (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · nl Germaanse (member of a Germanic tribe) · ce германхо (member of a Germanic tribe) · grc Γερμανός (member of a Germanic tribe) · eo germanino (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · io Germaniano (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · unm Chìchëman (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fro Aleman (member of a Germanic tribe) · tg немис (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · sh Не́мац (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · eo germano (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · km អាល្លឺម៉ង់ (member of a Germanic tribe) · fo týskur (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · haw Kelemānia (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fr Germaine (member of a Germanic tribe) · ce лоьмсо (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · bn আলমানী (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · pt germano (member of a Germanic tribe) · ast alemán (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · sh Nijémac (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fy Dútser (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · sac Chêmanîha (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · la Germanicus (member of a Germanic tribe) · hi अलमानी (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fr Allemande (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · bn এলেমান (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · cu нѣмьць (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · sl Némka (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · az نمسه (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · gl xermánico (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · sh Њѐмица (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · be не́мцы (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · rm Tudas-ch (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ru не́мка (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ce девто (member of a Germanic tribe) · ru не́мка (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · af Germaan (member of a Germanic tribe) · hi जर्मन (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · rup ghirman (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · de Germane (member of a Germanic tribe) · bg герма́нец (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · tg олмонӣ (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · zh 日耳曼人 (member of a Germanic tribe) · ga Gearmánach (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · ps المانی (member of a Germanic tribe) · fr Allemand (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · sh Није́мац (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · abe Alemôn (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · cs Germán (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · sh Nèmica (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · br Alaman (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · rm Tudais-ch (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ta ஜெர்மானியர் (member of a Germanic tribe) · lv fricis (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ca germànic (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · fy Dútser (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ru не́мец (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · gl xermano (member of a Germanic tribe) · be не́мец (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · sv tyska (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fi germaani (member of a Germanic tribe) · pl Niemiec (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · lt germanė (member of a Germanic tribe) · pl Germanka (member of a Germanic tribe) · de Deutscher (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ru герма́нка (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ru герма́нец (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · rup ghermanã (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · eu alemaniar (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ca alemany (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · fr Germain (member of a Germanic tribe) · cs Němec (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · rm Germanais (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · af Duitser (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ka გერმანელი (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · sq gjerman (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ce немцо (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · rm Germanais (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · kk неміс (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · tr Alman (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · mez a·nema·w (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · tr Alman (member of the Germanic ethnic group which is the most populous ethnic group in Germany) · rm Germanaisa (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · chr ᎠᏛᏥ (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ky немис (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ur جرمن (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · cv герман (member of a Germanic tribe) · fo germani (member of a Germanic tribe) · dsb Nimc (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · bg герма́нка (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality) · ro germancă (native or inhabitant of Germany; person of German citizenship or nationality)
From Latin Germānus, Germānī (“the peoples of Germānia”), as distinct from Gauls (in the writings of Caesar and Tacitus), and of uncertain ultimate origin (possibly Celtic/Gaulish).
Not related to german (“closely related”) or germane (from the Latin adjective germānus, through Old French).
Attested since at least 1520. Replaced the older terms Almain and Dutch (from Proto-Germanic *þiudiskaz) in English. Besides cognates of German, Almain, and Dutch, two other categories of words for the Germans in other languages are cognates of Saxon and descendants of Proto-Slavic *němьcь; see those entries for more.
The surname is generally from the noun, though sometimes confused with Herman, Hermann under Russian influence. As a German surname, Americanized from Germann. Compare Germán, Germain, Jerman.
Meanings
(uncountable) An Indo-European (Indo-Germanic) language, primarily spoken in Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, South Tyrol, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and a small part of Belgium.
Meronyms: Low German (Plattdeutsch), High German
German has three genders: masculine, feminine and neuter.
One of my German teachers used to joke that it takes you a year to say, “I’m traveling on the bus,” but once you’re on that bus, it’s plain sailing. 2021 April 25, John Malathronas, “Which languages are easiest – and most difficult – for native English speakers to learn?”, in CNN, archived from the original on 22 Mar 2022:
A surname.
A male given name from Russian.
A number of townships in the United States, listed under German Township.
A parish of the sheading of Glenfaba, Isle of Man.
io Germana (the German language) · ru неме́цкий (the German language) · si ජර්මානු (the German language) · wa almand (the German language) · hsb němska rěč (the German language) · hak 德文 (the German language) · tet lian alemanya (the German language) · mr भाषा जर्मन (the German language) · fy Dútsk (the German language) · tum Cijeremani (the German language) · srn Doisritongo (the German language) · ur المانی (the German language) · eu alemanera (the German language) · bn জার্মান ভাষা (the German language) · cy Almaeneg (the German language) · ha Jamusanci (the German language) · ml ജർമൻ ഭാഷ (the German language) · fa آلمانی (the German language) · sm fa'asiamani (the German language) · gd Gearmailtis (the German language) · tl Aleman (the German language) · vi tiếng Đức (the German language) · lv vācu valoda (the German language) · hrx taytx (the German language) · ti ጀርመን (the German language) · sh њемачки (the German language) · rom nyamcicko (the German language) · zh 德語 /德语 (the German language) · bg не́мски (the German language) · yue 德文 (the German language) · li Pruusj (the German language) · crh alman tili (the German language) · kn ಡಚ್ (the German language) · de Deitscha (the German language) · ba герман теле (the German language) · af Duits (the German language) · ky немисче (the German language) · mi reo Tiamana (the German language) · ca alemany (the German language) · la lingua germanica (the German language) · dsb nimšćina (the German language) · sgs vuokītiu kalba (the German language) · ug نېمىسچە (the German language) · rm tudais-ch (the German language) · da tysk (the German language) · kk неміс тілі (the German language) · tet lia-alemaun (the German language) · la lingua theodisca (the German language) · sq gjermanishte (the German language) · fr allemand (the German language) · de Tüütsch (the German language) · tl Jerman (the German language) · he גרמנית (the German language) · ka გერმანული (the German language) · st se-jeremane (the German language) · gl alemán (the German language) · mdf германонь кяль (the German language) · ro limba germană (the German language) · os немыцаг ӕвзаг (the German language) · kbd Джэрмэныбзэ (the German language) · mn герман хэл (the German language) · az alman dili (the German language) · uk німе́цька (the German language) · yi דײַטש (the German language) · lt vokiečių kalba (the German language) · ro nemțește (the German language) · ta செருமன் (the German language) · arn alemaña dungun (the German language) · ay aliman aru (the German language) · de Deutsch (the German language) · fi saksa (the German language) · fur todesc (the German language) · ast alemán (the German language) · gug alemañañe'ẽ (the German language) · sw kijerumani (the German language) · sh njemački (the German language) · oc alemand (the German language) · mg alema (the German language) · lo ພາສາເຢຍລະມັນ (the German language) · gu જર્મન (the German language) · ro nemțească (the German language) · nap lengua germanese (the German language) · ja 独語 (the German language) · tg забони олмонӣ (the German language) · cv нимӗҫ чӗлхи (the German language) · lmo lengua Tudesca (the German language) · es alemán (the German language) · ny Chijeremani (the German language) · sh немачки (the German language) · bcl Alemán (the German language) · sms saksslaǩiõll (the German language) · sco German (the German language) · cv нимӗҫле (the German language) · km អាល្លឺម៉ង់ (the German language) · se duiskkagiella (the German language) · dv އަލްމާނީ (the German language) · rm tudas-ch (the German language) · szl mjymjecko godka (the German language) · rup limba ghirmãneascã (the German language) · zea duuts (the German language) · kw Almaynek (the German language) · el γερμανικά (the German language) · ps الماني (the German language) · vec todesco (the German language) · cs němčina (the German language) · hy գերմաներեն (the German language) · rm germanais (the German language) · nds Düütsch (the German language) · hi जर्मन (the German language) · nah teutontlahtōlli (the German language) · ota نمچه (the German language) · lad lingua alemana (the German language) · ace Jeureuman (the German language) · ko 독일어 (the German language) · uz nemischa (the German language) · fo týskt (the German language) · ilo Aleman (the German language) · xmf გერმანული ნინა (the German language) · ceb inaleman (the German language) · ln lialémani (the German language) · ce Лоьмсойн мотт (the German language) · hi जरमन (the German language) · zh 德語 /德语 (the German language) · vec łéngoa todésca (the German language) · dsb nimska rěc (the German language) · zu isiJalimani (the German language) · ta ஜெர்மன் மொழி (the German language) · so jarmalka (the German language) · kmr elmanî (the German language) · pl niemiecki (the German language) · pl niemczyzna (the German language) · hsb němčina (the German language) · frp alemand (the German language) · mhn taitsch (the German language) · de deutsche Sprache (the German language) · zza almanki (the German language) · sv tyska (the German language) · tr Almanca (the German language) · ar الأَلْمَانِيَّة (the German language) · lb Däitsch (the German language) · aii ܠܫܢܐ ܓܪܡܢܝܐ (the German language) · io Germaniana (the German language) · tg олмонӣ (the German language) · rm tudestg (the German language) · eo germana (the German language) · nl Duits (the German language) · zh 德文 (the German language) · eu aleman (the German language) · xh isiJamani (the German language) · nb tysk (the German language) · rup limba ghermanã (the German language) · uk німе́цька мо́ва (the German language) · tk nemes dili (the German language) · ta ஜெர்மன் (the German language) · ky неміс (the German language) · gv Germaanish (the German language) · tt алман теле (the German language) · be няме́цкая (the German language) · qu aliman simi (the German language) · bo འཇར་མན་སྐད། (the German language) · gmw-cfr Dütsch (the German language) · ka გერმანული ენა (the German language) · egl tedèsch (the German language) · et saksa (the German language) · ms bahasa Jerman (the German language) · is þýska (the German language) · sjd ерманскэ кӣлл (the German language) · co lingua tedesca (the German language) · sq gjermanisht (the German language) · mt il-Ġermaniż (the German language) · jv Jerman basa (the German language) · nn tysk (the German language) · oj aanimaamowin (the German language) · kk немісше (the German language) · sq gjuha gjermane (the German language) · scn tudiscu (the German language) · hak 德語 /德语 (the German language) · bg не́мски ези́к (the German language) · si භාෂාව ජර්මානු (the German language) · ia germano (the German language) · fy Tsjutsk (the German language) · sk nemčina (the German language) · ce Немцойн мотт (the German language) · nds Duitsk (the German language) · pt alemão (the German language) · nrf allemaund (the German language) · chr ᎠᏛᏥ (the German language) · ja ドイツ語 (the German language) · lv vācu (the German language) · vo Deutänapük (the German language) · ms Jerman (the German language) · id bahasa Jerman (the German language) · nv Bééshbichʼahii bizaad (the German language) · mzn آلمانی زبون (the German language) · it tedesco (the German language) · ca alt alemany (the German language) · ss síJalimáne (the German language) · my ဂျာမန်စကား (the German language) · ga Gearmáinis (the German language) · de Deitsch (the German language) · zh 德文 (the German language) · be няме́цкая мо́ва (the German language) · kl tyskisut (the German language) · ab агерман (the German language) · te జర్మను (the German language) · rup limba ghirmanã (the German language) · ru неме́цкий язы́к (the German language) · th ภาษาเยอรมัน (the German language) · rgn tedèsch (the German language) · hu német (the German language) · am ጀርመን (the German language) · an alemán (the German language) · ta இடாய்ச்சு (the German language) · mk германски (the German language) · cu нѣмьчьскъ ѩꙁꙑкъ (the German language) · tpi Siamani tok (the German language) · fur lenghe todescje (the German language) · sh nemački (the German language) · pms lenga tedësca (the German language) · yue 德語 /德语 (the German language) · ar اللُّغَة الأَلْمَانِيَّة (the German language) · kg kidoitce (the German language) · ht alman (the German language) · br alamaneg (the German language) · sl némščina (the German language) · cdo 德語 /德语 (the German language) · ko 독어 (the German language) · mk германски јазик (the German language) · de Düütsch (the German language) · ur جرمن (the German language) · lij lengua tedesca (the German language) · ro germană (the German language) · scn lingua tudisca (the German language) · lt vokiečių (the German language) · zh дыййү (the German language) · rw ikidage (the German language) · ar أَلْمَانِيّ (the German language) · bpy জার্মান (the German language)