Lügner
[ˈlyːɡnɐ]masculine
The German word for liar is Lügner. Wiktionary also lists Lügnerin.
Meaning: one who tells lies (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lügner | [ˈlyːɡnɐ] (narrow) | masculine |
| Lügnerin | feminine |
The standard terms for a person who tells lies are Lügner and Lügnerin. If you want to describe a person who is a cheat or a deceiver, you might use Schwindler(in), which translates to swindler. For a more playful tone, you can use Flunkerer(in), which means a fibber or a storyteller and is used for someone who tells small lies.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Lügner is derived from the verb lügen, which means 'to lie'.
Which one should you use?
Lügner is the masculine form, while Lügnerin is the feminine form used specifically when referring to a woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form Lügner is used for a male liar and also functions as the plural form for 'liars'. The feminine form Lügnerin refers to a female liar, and its plural form is Lügnerinnen.
Did you know?
- The English word 'lie' (to tell an untruth) and the German lügen are distant cousins, both descending from the same Proto-Germanic root.
- Using the word Lügner to describe a person who tells very small, harmless untruths is often seen as an extreme exaggeration of their character.
- Even when a group of liars includes women, the masculine plural form Lügner is the standard grammatical way to refer to them.
Examples in context
- Er ist ein Lügner.He's a liar.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is a liar using Lügner.Tatoeba #1522258 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1522255 by erikspen
- Er ist ein Lügner!He is a liar.This sentence is useful for emphasizing that someone is a liar using Lügner.Tatoeba #1526747 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3668944 by Shereen
- Er ist kein Lügner.He's not a liar.Tatoeba #1687951 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1657740 by Spamster
- Die Person in diesem Bericht ist ein/e Lügner(in).The person in this report is a liar.
- Du bist ein Lügner!You are a liar!
- Er ist ein Schwindler, vertraue ihm nicht!He is a swindler, don't trust him!
- Hör auf, du Flunkerer!Stop it, you fibber!
- Verfluchter Lügner!Accursed liar!
- Unglaublicher Schwindler!Unbelievable swindler!
- 158 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah confronts Maximilian about a secret.
- SarahDu hast mich angelogen, du Lügner!You lied to me, you liar!
- MaximilianDas stimmt nicht, ich habe die Wahrheit gesagt.That is not true, I told the truth.
- SarahEin Lügner würde genau das sagen.A liar would say exactly that.
- MaximilianSarah, bitte glaub mir doch einfach.Sarah, please just believe me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “liar” translations and entries Lügner, Lügnerin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Lügner, Lügnerin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
