Homo
/ˈhoːmo/masculine
The German word Homo is a short form of homosexual.
When used as a noun to refer to a person, Homo is a derogatory slur in German. It functions as a casual and simplified abbreviation of the word homosexuell.
Meaning: short form of homosexual (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Homo is an informal term. For formal situations, you should use Homosexuelle(r).
How does it change in a sentence?
Homo is a masculine noun. In the nominative case, it uses the article der, while in the accusative case, it uses den (for example, den Homo). The plural form of the noun is Homos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhoːmo/
Did you know?
- While Homo is used as a slur in German, the word schwul was once a derogatory term that the community reclaimed to become the standard, neutral word for 'gay'.
- In German youth slang, homo is sometimes used as a generic insult for someone perceived as weak or cowardly, regardless of their actual sexual orientation.
- In German, the concept of 'coming out' is expressed through the loanphrase outen, but the phrase sich outen is used as a reflexive verb to describe the personal process.
Examples in context
- Hast du das Homo-Sapiens-Update nicht gekriegt?Didn't you get the Homo Sapiens update?This sentence uses Homo in the context of a scientific name.Tatoeba #12509310 by Vortarulo, translation #11203008 by DJ_Saidez
- Der Homo erectus sah fast so aus wie wir heute, nur dass er längere Beine und kürzere Arme hatte.Homo erectus looked much like we do today, but with elongated legs and shorter arms.Tatoeba #11719133 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8964894 by Hybrid
- Der Typ ist ein Homo.That guy is a homo.
Example conversation
Lukas and Laura are gossiping about a neighbor.
- LukasGlaubst du, der neue Nachbar ist ein Homo?Do you think the new neighbor is a homo?
- LauraWarum fragst du das überhaupt?Why are you even asking that?
- LukasEr sieht einfach wie ein typischer Homo aus.He just looks like a typical homo.
- LauraHör auf, so vorurteilsbehaftet zu sein, Lukas.Stop being so prejudiced, Lukas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “homo” translations and entries Homo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
