beliebt
/bəˈliːpt/
The English word "popular" can be translated into German as beliebt or populär.
Meaning: liked by many people (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| beliebt | /bəˈliːpt/ |
| populär | /ˌpopuˈlɛːɐ̯/ /ˌpopuˈleːɐ̯/ |
Both terms describe something that is liked by many people, but they are used in different contexts.
Which one should you use?
Use beliebt when you mean someone or something is well-liked or has many fans.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say something is "more popular", use the comparative form beliebter. To say something is "most popular", use the superlative form am beliebtesten.
How do you pronounce it?
/bəˈliːpt/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use populär when talking about people (for example, saying "He is populär"). You should use beliebt instead to describe a person who is well-liked.
Did you know?
- If you describe a politician as populär in a critical context, it can sometimes carry a negative connotation related to 'populism' and appealing to the masses.
- The word beliebt is built from the verb lieben, which means 'to love'. When you say someone is beliebt, you are literally describing them as being 'loved' or 'highly cherished' by others.
- The word populär comes from the Latin populāris, which originates from populus meaning 'people' or 'nation'.
Examples in context
- Ich bin sehr beliebt.I'm very popular.This sentence shows how to use beliebt to describe oneself.Tatoeba #1892456 by Tamy, translation #1891156 by CK
- Tom war sehr beliebt.Tom was very popular.This sentence demonstrates using beliebt in the past tense.Tatoeba #5931764 by Zaghawa, translation #2646819 by CK
- Was ist jetzt beliebt?What is popular now?This sentence shows how to ask about current trends using beliebt.Tatoeba #1611839 by Esperantostern, translation #241946 by CK
- 317 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Julia are discussing a new restaurant in town.
- MaximilianIst das neue Café beliebt?Is the new café popular?
- JuliaJa, es ist sehr beliebt bei allen.Yes, it is very popular with everyone.
- MaximilianDann sollten wir dort essen.Then we should eat there.
- JuliaGute Idee, Maximilian.Good idea, Maximilian.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “popular” translations and entries beliebt, populär, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries populär, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
