German word

Kollege

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔˈleːgə/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncolleague

Example

Ich sehe meinen Kollegen oft.

I often see my colleague.

Illustration for Kollege (colleague)

More examples

Mein neuer Kollege stellt sich heute vor.

My new colleague is introducing himself today.

Core concept

A person who works alongside others in the same workplace or profession.

Common phrases

  • mein neuer Kollege

    my new colleague

  • neue Kollegen

    new colleagues

  • mit Kollegen sprechen

    speak with colleagues

Similar words

Kollegin: A woman who works alongside others in the same workplace or profession.
Mitarbeiter: An employee of the same company or organization.

Definition in German

Person, die mit jemandem am selben Arbeitsplatz zusammenarbeitet.

Word origin

German Kollege comes from Latin collega, meaning a fellow officeholder, formed from com- 'together' and legare 'appoint or delegate'.

Usage tips

  • Kollege is masculine, while Kollegin is the standard feminine form; the plural is Kollegen for a mixed or all-male group.

Other meanings

  • coworkernoun
  • fellow professionalnoun

Related words

  • Kolleginfemale colleaguenoun
  • kollegialcollegialadjective

Word lists with this word