German word

Dekan

Pronunciation

IPA/deˈkaːn/

Meaning

  • masculine noundean

Example

Wir haben den Dekan um Rat gebeten.

We asked the dean for advice.

Illustration for Dekan (dean)

More examples

Sie will morgen bei dem Dekan vorsprechen.

She wants to request an audience with the dean tomorrow.

Core concept

A professor temporarily steering one faculty within a larger university.

Common phrases

  • das Amt des Dekans

    the dean's office

  • bei dem Dekan vorsprechen

    request an audience with the dean

  • der stellvertretende Dekan

    deputy dean

Similar words

Rektor: The university's top official, responsible for overall policy and external representation.
Prorektor: A senior university official who deputizes for the rector or oversees a specific area.
Fachbereichsleiter: The person responsible for leading a department or division within a faculty.
Lehrstuhlinhaber: A professor holding a specific chair and mainly responsible for its teaching and research.

Definition in German

An der Hochschule meist ein Professor, der für eine bestimmte Amtszeit die Leitung einer Fakultät übernimmt.

Word origin

The title developed from Latin decanus, based on decem, meaning ten, and passed through church administration before becoming established in universities.

Usage tips

  • Dekan has the forms den Dekan in the accusative and des Dekans in the genitive.

Related words

  • Dekanatsleiterdirector of the dean's officenoun

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