German word

Volkslied

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfɔlksˌliːt/

Meaning

  • neuter nounfolk song

Example

Wir singen oft das Volkslied unserer Heimat.

We often sing the folk song of our homeland.

Illustration for Volkslied (folk song)

More examples

Das Volkslied wird bei regionalen Festen gespielt.

The folk song is played at regional festivals.

Core concept

A community carries the same simple song from one generation to the next, changing it slightly as people sing it together.

Common phrases

  • das Volkslied

    the folk song

  • traditionelles Volkslied

    traditional folk song

  • ein bekanntes Volkslied

    a well-known folk song

Similar words

Lied: An authored song presented as a distinct work in performances or recordings.
Song: A modern popular song mainly encountered through recordings, downloads, or streaming.
Volksmusik: The traditional music culture of a region, including both vocal and instrumental forms.

Definition in German

Ein Volkslied ist ein traditionelles, meist anonymes Lied, das mündlich von einer Gemeinschaft über Generationen weitergegeben wird.

Word origin

The compound joins Volk, meaning 'people', with Lied, meaning 'song', using the linking -s; both elements continue older Germanic words.

Usage tips

  • Volkslied is neuter, with the plural Volkslieder rather than Volkslieds.

Other meanings

  • traditional songnoun

Opposites

  • Kunstliedart songnoun

Related words

  • Volksliedsammlungfolk song collectionnoun
  • Volksliedforschungfolk song researchnoun

Word lists with this word