German word

Gendarm

Pronunciation

IPA/ʒɑ̃ˈdaʁm/

Meaning

  • masculine noungendarme

Example

Der Gendarm kontrollierte die Pässe am kleinen Bahnhof.

The gendarme checked the passports at the small railway station.

Illustration for Gendarm (gendarme)

More examples

Nach dem Unfall beruhigte ein Gendarm die aufgebrachten Zeugen.

After the accident, a gendarme calmed the agitated witnesses.

Core concept

A uniformed military police officer checking documents and enforcing service rules.

Common phrases

  • der Gendarm am Posten

    the gendarme at the post

  • Gendarm auf Streife

    gendarme on patrol

  • ein Gendarm im Einsatz

    a gendarme on duty

Similar words

Feldjäger: A German military police unit or member responsible for maintaining military order.
Militärpolizei: Military police personnel responsible for law enforcement and security within the armed forces.
Polizeibeamter: A police officer serving a state or municipality with official legal authority.

Definition in German

Ein Angehöriger der Militärpolizei, der innerhalb des Militärs für Ordnung, Kontrolle und die Durchsetzung von Vorschriften sorgt.

Word origin

German borrowed Gendarm from French gendarme, which developed from Middle French gens d'armes, meaning armed men.

Usage tips

  • Gendarm is a masculine weak noun: der Gendarm but des, dem, and den Gendarmen, with Gendarmen as the plural.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word