How to Say "Hermit" in German

Einsiedler

[ˈaɪ̯nˌziːdlɐ]masculine

The German word for hermit is Einsiedler.

A Einsiedler is a recluse or someone who lives alone.

Meaning: recluse, someone who lives alone (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of ein (one) and Siedler (settler/settling), literally meaning 'one who settles alone'.

In the Swabian dialect, Einsiedla can be used instead of Einsiedler.

The masculine noun Einsiedler remains the same in its plural form. To refer to a female hermit, use the feminine form Einsiedlerin.

In the German language, the word Einsiedler is often associated with the town of Einsiedeln in Switzerland, which grew around a famous monastery.
German has a specific distinction between Einsiedler (a hermit) and Einzelgänger (a loner), with the former implying a chosen lifestyle or spiritual path.
Because Einsiedler is derived from 'one' and 'settler', it shares a linguistic DNA with the word 'Siedlung', which means 'settlement' or 'neighborhood'.

Tom ist ein Einsiedler.
Tom is a hermit.
This sentence is useful for identifying someone as a hermit.
Tatoeba #1682355 by Zaghawa, translation #2272810 by CK
Der Einsiedler wohnte in einer Holzhütte.
The hermit lived in a wooden hut.
This sentence is useful for describing where a hermit lived.
Tatoeba #12537126 by Yorwba, translation #27086 by CK
Kuck mal! Kuck mal! Da ist ein blauer Einsiedlerkrebs auf dem Orangenbaum!
Look, look! On the branch of the orange tree, there is a blue hermit crab!
This sentence shows how Einsiedler is used within the compound word Einsiedlerkrebs to mean hermit crab.
Tatoeba #8742780 by Yorwba, translation #8932621 by iiujik
Der Einsiedler zog sich in die Berge zurück.
The hermit withdrew to the mountains.
Die Einsiedlerin lebt in einer abgelegenen Hütte.
The female hermit lives in a remote cabin.
Er lebt wie ein Einsiedler.
He lives like a hermit.
Der alte Mann ist ein Eremit.
The old man is a hermit.
Ich fühle mich manchmal wie ein Eremit.
Sometimes I feel like a hermit.
Er isch a wahra Einsiedla.
He is a true hermit.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Sarah and Julian are talking about a mysterious neighbor.

Sarah

Wer wohnt in dem Haus am Wald?
Who lives in the house by the forest?
Julian

Das ist ein Einsiedler, glaube ich.
That is a hermit, I believe.
Sarah

Will er wirklich ganz allein leben?
Does he really want to live completely alone?
Julian

Ja, ein echter Einsiedler mag die Ruhe.
Yes, a true hermit likes the peace and quiet.

Sources

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