German Conversation · Level 53
72 words
German word
Kapitän
Pronunciation
IPA/kapiˈtɛːn/
Meaning
- masculine nouncaptain
Example
Der Kapitän gab den Matrosen klare Befehle.
The captain issued clear orders to the sailors.
More examples
Der Kapitän des Kreuzfahrtschiffs begrüßte die Gäste.
The cruise ship's captain greeted the guests.
Core concept
A central figure in a cockpit, on a ship, or beside a team, combining authority with responsibility for the group.
Common phrases
der Kapitän des Kreuzfahrtschiffs
the cruise ship's captain
den Kapitän spielen
throw one's weight around
der erfahrene Kapitän
an experienced captain
Similar words
Skipper: The person directing and handling a small boat or yacht.
Spielführer: The team player who leads teammates and represents them during a match.
Steuermann: The crew member who steers the vessel and adjusts its course directly.
Käpt'n: A casual way to address or refer to a ship's captain.
Definition in German
Kapitän bezeichnet die Person, die in einem Team oder auf einem Schiff die Leitung und Verantwortung trägt.
Word origin
The German noun Kapitän is a borrowing from French capitaine, which goes back through Latin capitaneus to caput, "head".
Usage tips
- In sports, Kapitän normally means the designated team leader, not the coach or manager.
Other meanings
- team captainnoun
- skippernoun
Related words
- Kapitäninwoman captainnoun