alemán
/aleˈman/masculine
In Spanish, the word for German is alemán.
The term alemán is the most common way to say German. It can be used as a noun to refer to the German language or as an adjective meaning of or relating to the German language. If you wish to refer to the German language in a formal way, you can use the phrases idioma alemán or lengua alemana. You might also say Hablo el idioma alemán to mean I speak the German language.
Meaning: the German language (name)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on gender and number. Use the feminine form alemana when referring to a female person or a feminine noun. For a group of German people or German-related objects, use the masculine plural alemanes. For a group of German women or feminine nouns, use the feminine plural alemanas.
How do you pronounce it?
/aleˈman/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not capitalize the word for the language or the nationality. Unlike in English, alemán should only be capitalized if it starts a sentence.
Did you know?
- The word alemán does not actually refer to the German nation, but rather to a specific group of people called the 'Alamanni' who lived along the Rhine.
- While alemán is the standard term, some Spanish speakers may use teutón in literary or formal contexts to refer to Germans.
Examples in context
- ¿Eres alemán, o no?You're German, aren't you?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is German using alemán.Tatoeba #1408501 by marcelostockle, translation #1132151 by CN
- Yo no hablo alemán.I don't speak German.This sentence is useful for saying you do not speak German using alemán.Tatoeba #1991576 by Shishir, translation #482351 by adjusting
- Mi amigo es alemán.My friend is German.This sentence is useful for stating that a friend is German using alemán.Tatoeba #6612790 by arh, translation #12982242 by rul
- El idioma alemán es muy interesanteThe German language is very interesting
- ¿Podría recomendar un buen libro sobre la lengua alemana?Could you recommend a good book about the German language?
- ¿Sabes algunas palabras en alemán?Do you know any words in German?
- 324 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are discussing their language classes at a cafe.
- SofíaJavier, ¿estudias alemán este semestre?Javier, are you studying German this semester?
- JavierSí, el alemán es mi nueva materia.Yes, German is my new subject.
- SofíaEs una lengua muy interesante.It is a very interesting language.
- JavierGracias, Sofía, espero aprender mucho.Thanks, Sofía, I hope to learn a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “german” translations and entries alemán, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alemán, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
