Untermensch
See also: untermensch, Üntermensch, and üntermensch
English
Alternative forms
- untermensch
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from German Untermensch.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈʊntəmɛnʃ/
Noun
Untermensch (plural Untermenschen)
- (derogatory, especially Nazism) An inferior person; a subhuman, especially in a Nazi racial hierarchy.
- Antonym: Übermensch
- 2009, John Sadler, Glencoe, Amberley 2009, page 19:
- His orders are clear and concise – the Scots are viewed as untermenschen and are to be treated accordingly.
German
Etymology
From unter- (“under”) + Mensch (“human being”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): [ˈʊntɐˌmɛnʃ]
Audio (file)
Noun
Untermensch m (weak, genitive Untermenschen, plural Untermenschen)
- (derogatory) an inferior person; a subhuman
- Antonym: Übermensch
Usage notes
- As the races whom the Nazis persecuted were often collectively referred to as Untermenschen, this term is consequently strongly associated with the Nazis and their ideology.
Declension
Declension of Untermensch [masculine, weak]
singular | plural | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
indef. | def. | noun | def. | noun | |
nominative | ein | der | Untermensch | die | Untermenschen |
genitive | eines | des | Untermenschen | der | Untermenschen |
dative | einem | dem | Untermenschen | den | Untermenschen |
accusative | einen | den | Untermenschen | die | Untermenschen |
Derived terms
- Untermenschentum
Further reading
- “Untermensch” in Duden online