German Conversation · Level 11
90 words
German word
General
Pronunciation
IPA/genəˈʁaːl/
Meaning
- masculine noungeneral
Example
Der General begrüßte die Soldaten.
The general greeted the soldiers.
More examples
Der General besuchte die Familien der Gefallenen.
The general visited the families of the fallen.
Core concept
A top-level commander or religious superior responsible for the whole institution rather than one small unit.
Common phrases
ein hoher General
a senior general
dem General gehorchen
obey the general
Similar words
Offizier: Military officer responsible for command or administration.
Kommandant: Commander responsible for a specific base, facility, or unit.
Oberst: High-ranking army officer holding the rank of colonel.
Leutnant: Junior commissioned officer in the military.
Definition in German
Der Rang eines Offiziers, der große Verbände führt und strategische Verantwortung trägt.
Word origin
The noun comes through French général from Latin generalis, whose broad sense of relating to the whole developed into a title for an overall leader.
Usage tips
- English "general" often describes something broad or non-specific, while German "General" with a capital letter is a noun for a senior leader.
Related words
- Generalmajormajor generalnoun
- Generaloberstcolonel generalnoun