Sohn
/zoːn/masculine
The English word son is translated into German as Sohn. Wiktionary also lists Buab.
Meaning: a male person in relation to his parents (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sohn | /zoːn/ /soːn/ (Austria) |
masculine |
| Buab | masculine |
The term refers to a male person in relation to his parents.
Which one should you use?
While Sohn is the standard German term, regional variations like Buab or Jung are used in specific areas or contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavarian and Austrian dialects, Buab is used instead of the standard German Sohn. In Northern Germany, particularly in Low German, the word Jung is commonly used to refer to a son or a young man. Additionally, the colloquial regional term Bua is used in parts of Bavaria.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of Sohn is Söhne.
How do you pronounce it?
/zoːn/
Did you know?
- In traditional German law and inheritance customs, the Sohn historically held the primary right to inherit the family name and estate over daughters.
- The German word Sohn is a direct linguistic relative of the English word 'son' and the Dutch word zoon, as both descended from the Proto-Germanic word *sunuz.
- In Bavarian and Austrian dialects, the word Buab is often used to refer to a son, but it can also be used as a generic term for any young boy.
Examples in context
- Wo war Ihr Sohn?Where was your son?This sentence shows how to ask about the location of someone's Sohn.Tatoeba #8497977 by Luiaard, translation #2647782 by CK
- Er ist ihr Sohn.He's her son.This sentence is useful for stating a person's relationship as a Sohn.Tatoeba #8639076 by Melang, translation #8479916 by CH
- Wo ist mein Sohn?Where is my son?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of one's own Sohn.Tatoeba #3104362 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2093443 by gleki
- Hast du gut geschlafen, Sohnemann?Did you sleep well, my little son?
- 979 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Julian are talking about family photos.
- LauraWer ist der kleine Junge auf dem Foto?Who is the little boy in the photo?
- JulianDas ist mein Sohn.That is my son.
- LauraEr sieht genau wie du aus, Julian!He looks exactly like you, Julian!
- JulianJa, mein Sohn ist mir sehr ähnlich.Yes, my son is very similar to me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “son” translations and entries Sohn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Sohn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
