jeder
/ˈjeːdɐ/
The German word for everyone is jeder.
jeder is used to refer to every single person within a group.
Meaning: every person (pron)
Which one should you use?
While jeder refers to every single person in the singular, alle refers to all people as a collective group and is used in the plural.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word jeder is grammatically singular and requires singular verb forms. Depending on its role in a sentence, the form may change: jeden is the accusative masculine singular version used when the word is the direct object and jedem is the dative masculine singular version used when the word is the indirect object.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈjeːdɐ/
Did you know?
- The word jeder is a distant relative of the English word 'either'. Both words share a common ancestor that originally meant 'one or the other' of a pair.
- The Dutch word ieder is a close cognate of jeder and shares the same meaning of 'each' or 'everyone'.
- In German, using jeder instead of alle puts a stronger emphasis on the individual responsibility or action of each person.
Examples in context
- Das weiß doch jeder.Everyone knows that.This sentence shows how to express that everyone knows a specific fact using jeder.Tatoeba #3897606 by Miyako, translation #2094824 by CK
- Jeder nennt ihn Tom.Everyone calls him Tom.This sentence uses jeder to describe what everyone calls a person.Tatoeba #6469816 by wolfgangth, translation #5466724 by CK
- Jeder hat das getan.Everyone did that.This sentence demonstrates using jeder to describe an action that everyone performed.Tatoeba #8302121 by Luiaard, translation #6220120 by CK
- Alle sind herzlich willkommen.Everyone is warmly welcome.
- Jeder und jede hat das Recht auf eine gute Bildung.Everyone has the right to a good education.
- Alle sind eingeladen zur Party!Everyone is invited to the party!
- Jeder kann seinen eigenen Weg gehen.Everyone can choose their own path.
- 636 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A small office gathering during a coffee break.
- MaximilianHat jeder den Kuchen bekommen?Did everyone get some cake?
- JuliaJa, jeder hat ein Stück.Yes, everyone has a piece.
- MaximilianDas ist toll, Julia.That is great, Julia.
- JuliaMaximilian, möchtest du auch noch etwas?Maximilian, would you like something more too?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry jeder, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jeder, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
