Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| transgender | /tʁansˈdʒɛn.dɐ/ |
| trans | /tʁans/ |
| trans* | |
| transgeschlechtlich |
In German, these terms describe a person whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. While transgender is a direct loan from English, transgeschlechtlich is the native German equivalent.
What does it mean word for word?
The term transgeschlechtlich is a compound word consisting of the prefix trans- (meaning across or beyond) and geschlechtlich (meaning relating to gender or sex).
Which one should you use?
transgender is an English loanword used in German, whereas transgeschlechtlich is the native German word. The word trans serves as a shortened version of the full terms.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
transgender and transgeschlechtlich are formal terms. transgeschlechtlich is specifically used in descriptive, academic, journalistic or official contexts. In contrast, trans is an informal abbreviation common in everyday conversation and within the community.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Austria and parts of Southern Germany, the term Transgenderer may be used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In German, if you use Transgender as a noun to refer to a person, it must be capitalized. When using the adjective transgeschlechtlich, it must take the appropriate adjective endings to agree with the noun it modifies, such as in transgeschlechtliche Person.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /tʁansˈdʒɛn.dɐ/.
Did you know?
- In German, the word Geschlecht can mean both 'gender' and 'sex', making the term transgeschlechtlich doubly descriptive of the relationship between identity and biology.
- While transgender is a loanword, the German term transgeschlechtlich is a morphological hybrid. It marries the Latin prefix trans- with the purely Germanic root Geschlecht, a common strategy for creating modern scientific terms in German.
- If you use transgender as an adjective in a sentence, it does not take the typical German adjective endings. It remains unadapted, whereas its native counterpart, transgeschlechtlich, must change its ending to match the noun.
Examples in context
- Layla war eine Transfrau.Layla was a transgender woman.This sentence is useful for showing how to use the form trans to describe a person.Tatoeba #6216195 by wxcraft, translation #6033750 by OsoHombre
- Sami ist auch transgeschlechtlich.Sami is transgender, too.This sentence demonstrates the use of transgeschlechtlich to describe a person.Tatoeba #8722357 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7219072 by OsoHombre
- Ich habe viele transgeschlechtliche Freunde.I have a lot of transgender friends.This sentence shows how to use the adjective transgeschlechtlich to modify a plural noun.Tatoeba #13727206 by Waldelfe, translation #10921606 by CM
- Haben Sie schon von dem Begriff "Transgender" gehört?Have you heard of the term "transgender"?
- Ja, "Transgender" bezieht sich auf Personen, deren Geschlechtsidentität von dem bei der Geburt zugewiesenen Geschlecht abweicht.Yes, "Transgender" refers to individuals whose gender identity differs from the one assigned at birth.
- Kennst du den Ausdruck "Trans"?Do you know the term "trans"?
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a documentary at home.
- SarahIst die Hauptperson in der Dokumentation transgender?Is the main character in the documentary transgender?
- LukasJa, sie ist transgender und erzählt ihre Geschichte.Yes, she is transgender and tells her story.
- SarahDas ist ein sehr mutiges Thema.That is a very brave topic.
- LukasStimmt, ich finde es sehr inspirierend.True, I find it very inspiring.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “transgender” translations and entries transgender, trans, transgeschlechtlich, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
