German word

Roman

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁoˈmaːn/

Meaning

  • masculine nounnovel

Example

Ich lese gerade einen Roman.

I'm reading a novel right now.

Illustration for Roman (novel)

More examples

Ich habe gestern einen Roman aus der Bibliothek ausgeliehen.

Yesterday, I borrowed a novel from the library.

Core concept

A sustained prose narrative gives characters room to develop while its events unfold across a broad span of time.

Common phrases

  • mit dem Roman anfangen

    start reading the novel

  • einen Roman ausleihen

    borrow a novel

  • einen Roman kaufen

    buy a novel

Similar words

Buch: A single book available in print or electronic form.
Kurzgeschichte: A brief, self-contained story focused on one episode.
Liebesroman: A novel centered on a love story.
Erzählung: A short narrative recounting events or experiences.

Definition in German

Eine erfundene, längere Erzählung in Prosa, die Personen und Ereignisse über einen größeren Zeitraum darstellt.

Word origin

Roman developed from Old French romanz, a word for a story in the vernacular language, ultimately from Latin romanice, meaning in the Roman vernacular.

Usage tips

  • German Roman usually means a novel rather than a love story, while a romance-focused novel can be called a Liebesroman.

Related words

  • Romanfigurnovel characternoun
  • Romanverfilmungfilm adaptation of a novelnoun
  • Romanhandlungplot of a novelnoun

Word lists with this word