Bettler
/ˈbɛtlɐ/masculine
The English word beggar is translated into German as Bettler. Wiktionary also lists Bettlerin and Bettelmann.
Meaning: person who begs (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bettler | /ˈbɛtlɐ/ | masculine |
| Bettlerin | feminine | |
| Bettelmann | masculine | |
| Bettelfrau | feminine | |
| Bettelweib | feminine | |
| Bettelbruder | masculine | |
| Bettelschwester | feminine | |
| Pracher | masculine | |
| Pracherin | feminine |
The term Bettler refers to a person who begs. In a religious context, the specific term Bettelbruder is used to refer to a begging brother, such as a friar or a member of a mendicant order.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Bettler is derived from the verb betteln, which means to beg.
Which one should you use?
Bettler is the masculine form used for a male beggar or as a generic term for a beggar. To specifically refer to a female beggar, use the feminine form Bettlerin.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of the noun Bettler is Bettlerin.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbɛtlɐ/
Did you know?
- The term Bettelmann was sometimes used in folk tales and legends to describe a disguised deity or spirit testing the generosity of humans.
- In some German idioms, the act of begging betteln is used colloquially to describe children pestering their parents for toys or sweets.
- While Bettler is the standard term, the archaic and highly derogatory term Bettelweib was used to insult women by implying they were of low social standing.
Examples in context
- Er starb als Bettler.He died a beggar.This sentence is useful for showing the state in which someone died.Tatoeba #6794179 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5649168 by mailohilohi
- Der Bettler streckte die Hand aus.The beggar held out his hand.This sentence is useful for describing a physical action of a beggar.Tatoeba #12317909 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10164032 by CK
- Tom gab dem Bettler etwas zu essen.Tom gave the beggar some food.This sentence is useful for describing an act of giving food to a beggar.Tatoeba #9672958 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9672947 by CK
- Ich habe einem Bettler etwas zu essen gegeben.I gave some food to a beggar.
- Die bedürftige Person bat um eine kleine Spende.The needy person asked for a small donation.
- Ich habe einem Obdachlosen etwas Geld gegeben.I gave some money to a homeless person.
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Maximilian are walking through the city center.
- SarahEin Bettler fragt mich nach Kleingeld.A beggar is asking me for spare change.
- MaximilianHast du dem Bettler etwas gegeben?Did you give the beggar something?
- SarahJa, ich habe ihm ein paar Euro gegeben.Yes, I gave him a few euros.
- MaximilianDas war sehr nett von dir.That was very kind of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beggar” translations and entries Bettler, Bettlerin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
