allein
/(ʔ)aˈlaɪn/
The German word for "alone" is allein.
allein is used to describe being by oneself. It can also function as an adverb meaning "only".
Meaning: by oneself (adj)
Which one should you use?
While allein means being physically by oneself, einsam describes the emotional state of feeling lonely. Additionally, when used as an adverb meaning "only", allein is much more formal and literary than the common word nur.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In spoken German, the form alleine is frequently used instead of allein.
How do you pronounce it?
/(ʔ)aˈlaɪn/
Did you know?
- The phrase allein can be used as a formal conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however' in literary texts.
- The English 'alone' and the German 'allein' both trace their history back to the idea of being 'all one', meaning completely single or solitary.
- German has the word Alleinstehend, which specifically describes a person who is legally single or living without a partner.
Examples in context
- Ich bin so allein.I'm so alone.This sentence shows how to express feeling alone using allein.Tatoeba #10246442 by wolfgangth, translation #3723050 by CM
- Geh da alleine hin!Go there alone.This sentence provides an example of using allein to give a command to go somewhere by oneself.Tatoeba #12187675 by mhr, translation #11178344 by ddnktr
- Er ist gern allein.He likes to be alone.This sentence illustrates a preference for being alone using allein.Tatoeba #12432543 by Waldelfe, translation #10040085 by espamatics
- Ich war ganz allein zu Hause.I was completely alone at home.
- Er fühlte sich oft einsam, wenn er allein war.He often felt lonely when he was alone.
- Ich möchte heute Abend etwas Zeit für mich allein haben.I would like to have some time alone for myself this evening.
- Ich werde das ganz alleine schaffen.I will manage this all by myself.
- 1649 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are talking about their weekend plans.
- HannahGehst du heute Abend allein ins Kino?Are you going to the cinema alone tonight?
- FelixJa, ich möchte den Film allein sehen.Yes, I want to see the movie alone.
- HannahDas ist schade, Felix.That's a pity, Felix.
- FelixIch bin einfach gern mal allein.I just like being alone sometimes.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alone” translations and entries allein, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries allein, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
