German Conversation · Level 3
88 words
German word
Vater
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈfaːtɐ/
Meaning
- masculine nounfather
Example
Mein Vater kommt aus Berlin.
My father is from Berlin.
More examples
Am Wochenende besuche ich meinen Vater.
On the weekend, I visit my father.
Core concept
A child's male parent, whether connected by birth or recognized by law.
Common phrases
mein Vater
my father
bei meinem Vater
at my father's
als Vater
as a father
Similar words
Papa: A familiar name for a father in everyday family speech.
Vati: A warm, childish form of address for a father.
Stiefvater: A man who becomes a child's father through marriage, not birth.
Definition in German
Der männliche Elternteil, biologisch oder rechtlich mit einem Kind verbunden.
Word origin
Vater is an inherited Germanic noun from Old High German fater, sharing an ancient Indo-European origin with English father.
Usage tips
- The familiar forms Papa and Vati are less neutral than Vater, so Vater is the standard choice in formal and general contexts.
Opposites
- Muttermothernoun
Related words
- Vaterschaftfatherhoodnoun
- väterlichpaternaladjective