online
/ˈɔnlaɪ̯n/
The English word "online" is translated into German as online.
In German, online is used both as an adverb, such as in the phrase online kaufen (to buy online) and as a predicative adjective, such as in er ist online (he is online). For example, Der Online-Shop is a masculine noun, Die Online-Buchung is a feminine noun and Das Online-Formular is a neuter noun.
Meaning: connected to the Internet (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɔnlaɪ̯n/
Did you know?
- The term offline is frequently used in German as a metaphor for someone who is mentally checked out or ignoring their surroundings, not just disconnected from a server.
- While online is standard, Germans often use the term im Netz (in the net) to describe being connected, treating the internet as a physical space one enters.
- Although online is borrowed from English, German speakers typically pronounce it with a distinct, slightly different vowel sound in the 'line' part compared to the English version.
Examples in context
- Er ist nie online.He's never online.This sentence shows how to use online with a negative frequency.Tatoeba #10039731 by Yorwba, translation #10540383 by sundown
- Er ist immer online.He is always online.This sentence shows how to use online with a positive frequency.Tatoeba #8842928 by wolfgangth, translation #3378258 by _undertoad
- Ich verkaufe Kleider online.I sell clothing online.This sentence shows how to use online as an adverb in a commercial context.Tatoeba #871934 by Esperantostern, translation #844710 by CM
- Maria recherchiert im Internet nach aktuellen Informationen.Maria searches online for up-to-date information.
- Bitte senden Sie uns Ihre Bewerbungsunterlagen via Internet.Please send us your application documents online.
- Wir können online zusammen einkaufen gehen!We can go shopping together online!
- Lass uns ins Internet gehen und nach neuen Serien suchen!Let's go online and look for new series!
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Maximilian are talking about a video call.
- LauraBist du gerade online?Are you online right now?
- MaximilianJa, ich bin online.Yes, I am online.
- LauraKannst du mich anrufen?Can you call me?
- MaximilianJa, ich rufe dich sofort an.Yes, I will call you immediately.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “online” translations and entries online, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
