German word

Privileg

Pronunciation

IPA/ˌpʁiviˈleːk/

Meaning

  • neuter nounprivilege

Example

Langjährige Mitarbeiter haben oft Privilegien.

Long-serving employees often enjoy privileges.

Illustration for Privileg (privilege)

More examples

Er betrachtete das Stipendium als Privileg.

He regarded the scholarship as a privilege.

Core concept

A raised platform marks a position with access and priority unavailable to the surrounding crowd.

Common phrases

  • ein Privileg verteidigen

    defend a privilege

  • ein Privileg anerkennen

    recognize a privilege

Similar words

Vorteil: A benefit or favorable condition gained from a situation.
Recht: A legitimate claim or entitlement supported by law or rules.
Vergünstigung: A discount or other price benefit offered on a product or service.
Befreiung: Official exemption from a duty, restriction, or requirement.

Definition in German

Ein Privileg ist ein besonderes Recht oder eine Vorrangstellung, die nur bestimmten Personen oder Gruppen zusteht.

Word origin

Latin privilegium developed from privus, meaning private or individual, and lex, meaning law, and German later adopted the word as Privileg.

Usage tips

  • Vorteil is the broader word for a benefit, while Privileg usually suggests restricted access, special entitlement, or an advantage reserved for some.

Other meanings

  • preferential rightnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Privilegierungpreferential treatmentnoun
  • privilegiertprivilegedadjective

Word lists with this word