German Conversation · Level 23
90 words
German word
Volk
Pronunciation
IPA/fɔlk/
Meaning
- neuter nounpeople
Example
Das Volk hat den neuen Präsidenten gewählt.
The people elected the new president.
More examples
Beim Sieg der Nationalmannschaft jubelt das ganze Volk.
When the national team wins, the whole nation cheers.
Viele im Volk besuchen die Volksschule.
Many of the people attend primary school.
Core concept
A whole population pictured as one collective body, whether ordinary citizens, a nation, or an ethnic community.
Common phrases
das Volk
the people
Similar words
Leute: Individuals referred to informally in everyday speech.
Menschen: Human beings of any age or gender.
Bevölkerung: All the people living in a particular region or country.
Bürger: People who are legal citizens with political rights and civic obligations.
Definition in German
Die Bevölkerung oder kollektive Gemeinschaft einer Nation, oft als politisches Subjekt verstanden.
Word origin
Volk comes from Old High German folc and is inherited from the same Germanic source as English folk and Dutch volk.
Usage tips
- Volk is neuter, with the plural Völker, and das Volk often presents people as a political collective rather than as separate individuals.