German word

Hauptmann

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhaʊ̯ptman/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncaptain

Example

Die Hauptmänner besprachen den Plan.

The captains discussed the plan.

Illustration for Hauptmann (captain)

More examples

Die Soldaten warteten auf den Befehl des Hauptmanns.

The soldiers waited for the captain's order.

Core concept

A uniformed officer at the head of a company-sized military unit.

Common phrases

  • der Hauptmann im Dienst

    the captain on duty

  • Befehle des Hauptmanns

    the captain's orders

  • unter dem Kommando des Hauptmanns

    under the captain's command

Similar words

Offizier: A commissioned military officer serving in a command or specialist role.
Kommandeur: A military leader with authority over a unit or organizational section.
Leutnant: A junior officer who carries out missions while leading a small unit.
Kompanieführer: The officer in practical command of a company or similar unit.

Definition in German

Hauptmann bezeichnet einen militärischen Offizier, der üblicherweise die Führung einer Kompanie oder einer vergleichbaren Einheit innehat.

Word origin

The compound combines Haupt, meaning head or chief, with Mann, meaning man, and originally described a chief or leading man before becoming a military rank.

Usage tips

  • Hauptmann names a military rank, while a ship's captain is a Kapitaen and a sports captain is a Mannschaftskapitaen in German.

Other meanings

  • company commandernoun
  • leadernoun

Word lists with this word