die Herr
noun · /hɛr/ ·Etymology
From Middle High German hērre, hërre, from Old High German hēriro, hērro, originally comparative of hēr (“grey-haired, noble, venerable”, whence German hehr), a semantic loan from Latin senior (“elder”). Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *hairaz (“grey”). Cognate with Dutch heer, Old English hār, English hoar, Old Norse hárr; compare also modern German hehr (“noble, holy”), herrschen (“to rule”).
Translation
-
man, gentleman
masculine, polite, weak
Herrenbekleidung
gentlemen's wear
Herrentoilette
gentlemen's toilet
ein älterer Herr
an older gentleman
meine Damen und Herren
ladies and gentlemen
-
sir, lord; address of subservient respect
archaic, masculine, weak
Wie kann ich Euch zu Diensten sein, Herr?
How can I serve you, sir?
Gnädiger Herr!
(Can be translated as "My lord!" in English, but there is no direct equivalent.)
-
Mr., mister, sir respectful address towards a man
masculine, weak
sehr geehrter Herr Schmidt
(dear) Mr. Schmidt
Die Herren Schmidt und Müller
Messrs. Schmidt and Müller
Herr Doktor von Braun
Dr. von Braun
Herr Professor
Dr. (Ph.D.) / Professor
Herr Bundeskanzler
Mr. Chancellor or Sir
Jawohl, Herr Oberst!
Yes, sir! (Because Herr already is a respectful form of address, adding a term like sir is unnecessary.)
Entschuldigung, der Herr? Sie haben Ihre Uhr verloren.
Excuse me, sir? You've lost your watch. (standard usage between strangers)
Was kann ich Ihnen bringen, meine Herren?
What can I bring you, sirs?
sehr geehrte Damen und Herren
dear Sir or Madam (address in formal letters and e-mails)
-
master, lord (generally denotes that someone has control over something, either in a generic or in a regal sense)
masculine, weak
Herr der Lage sein
to be master of the situation
Weil die Tiere auf seinen Wink reagieren, nennt man ihn den Herren der Wölfe.
Because the animals are at his beck and call, he is called Lord of the Wolves.
Wer ist Herr dieser Landen? Der Graf von Karabas.
Who is the ruler/owner of these lands? The Count of Karabas.
der Schirmherr
the patron
-
the lowest title of German nobility
historical, masculine, weak
Gans Edle Herren zu Putlitz
Gans (noble) lords of Putlitz
-
Lord, God
masculine, weak
Das Haus des Herrn
the House of God
Gott der Herr
the Lord
Declension
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | Herr | Herren |
| Accusative | Herrn | Herren |
| Dative | Herrn | Herren |
| Genitive | Herrn | Herren |