German word

Ehrenbürger

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈeːʁənˌbʏʁgɐ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhonorary citizen

Example

Er ist seit letztem Jahr Ehrenbürger der Stadt.

He has been an honorary citizen of the city since last year.

Illustration for Ehrenbürger (honorary citizen)

More examples

Der Stadtrat verlieh ihm den Titel Ehrenbürger für sein literarisches Werk.

The city council conferred on him the title of honorary citizen for his literary work.

Core concept

A town symbolically adds a distinguished outsider to its circle of citizens.

Common phrases

  • Ehrenbürger der Stadt

    honorary citizen of the city

  • den Titel Ehrenbürger verleihen

    confer the title of honorary citizen

  • zum Ehrenbürger ernennen

    appoint ___ as an honorary citizen

Similar words

Ehrentitel: An official title awarded to recognize achievement or contribution.
Ehrendoktor: An honorary doctorate awarded for academic or social contributions.
Ehrenmitglied: Honorary membership granted by an organization or group.
Ehrengast: A guest given special status at a ceremony or event.

Definition in German

Ein Titel, der ehrenhalber von einer Kommune an eine Person für besondere Leistungen verliehen wird.

Word origin

The compound joins German Ehre ('honor') with Bürger ('citizen'), combining honor with civic membership in a title for a person recognized by a municipality.

Usage tips

  • An Ehrenbürger need not live in the town that grants the title, because the designation is honorary rather than ordinary residence.

Related words

  • Ehrenbürgerschafthonorary citizenshipnoun
  • Ehrenbürgerinfemale honorary citizennoun
  • Ehrenbürgerwürdehonorary citizen titlenoun

Word lists with this word