German word

Militär

Pronunciation

IPA/miliˈtɛːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • neuter nounmilitary

Example

Das Militär hilft den Menschen nach der Flut.

The military is helping people after the flood.

Illustration for Militär (military)

More examples

Er erzählt oft von seiner Zeit im Militär.

He often talks about his time in the military.

Core concept

The coordinated armed structure of a country, including its personnel, units, and supporting organizations.

Common phrases

  • im Militär sein

    be in the military

  • ins Militär eintreten

    join the military

  • im Militär dienen

    serve in the military

Similar words

Armee: The army or land forces of a country.
Soldaten: Individual soldiers serving in the armed forces.
Bundeswehr: Germany's official armed forces.
Streitkräfte: A country's military forces as a whole.

Definition in German

Das Militär ist die Gesamtheit der bewaffneten Streitkräfte eines Staates, also Soldaten, Einheiten und militärische Institutionen.

Word origin

The German noun Militär is a borrowing from French militaire, which goes back to Latin militaris and the Latin noun miles, 'soldier'.

Usage tips

  • English 'military' often functions as an adjective, but German Militär is a noun; the corresponding German adjective is militärisch.

Other meanings

  • armynoun
  • military establishmentnoun

Opposites

  • Zivilbevölkerungcivilian populationnoun
  • Zivilistenciviliansnoun

Related words

  • militärischmilitaryadjective
  • Militärdienstmilitary servicenoun

Word lists with this word