German Conversation · Level 156
30 words
German word
Freiherr
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈfʁaɪ̯ˌhɛɐ̯/
Meaning
- masculine nounbaron
Example
Der Freiherr begrüßt uns.
The baron greets us.
More examples
Nach Jahrzehnten wurde er zum Freiherrn geadelt.
After decades, he was ennobled as a baron.
Core concept
A hereditary lord whose title places him below the higher nobility but at the rank called baron in English.
Common phrases
zum Freiherrn geadelt werden
be ennobled as a baron
mit dem Titel Freiherr
with the title of baron
den Titel Freiherr tragen
bear the title of baron
Similar words
Baron: A hereditary noble title denoting a lower rank.
Graf: A hereditary territorial nobleman with regional governing rights.
Definition in German
Freiherr bezeichnet einen niederen Adligen mit hergebrachter, meist erblich übergehender Stellung und entspricht dem Rang eines Barons.
Word origin
The compound Freiherr originally referred to a free lord and later became the German title for a nobleman of baronial rank.
Usage tips
- In modern German, Freiherr is mainly historical or part of a family name, so context determines whether it functions as a title or a surname element.
Related words
- Freiherrinbaronessnoun
- Freiherrentitelbaronial titlenoun