German Conversation · Level 11
90 words
German word
allein
Pronunciation
IPA/aˈlaɪ̯n/
Meaning
- adjectivealone
Example
Er ist allein.
He is alone.
More examples
Er fühlt sich oft allein.
He often feels alone.
Core concept
A person stands or acts without anyone else present, whether this feels neutral, chosen, or unwanted.
Common phrases
sich allein fühlen
feel alone
allein unterwegs
out alone
Similar words
einsam: Feeling lonely because of being without other people.
einzeln: Existing separately from others as a single item.
alleinstehend: Living without a family or partner in the household.
Definition in German
Ohne Begleitung durch andere; nur eine Person ist gegenwärtig.
Word origin
The modern form allein developed from Old High German alēn through Middle High German alein.
Usage tips
- As a predicative adjective, allein has no ending after sein: Er ist allein means 'He is alone.'
Other meanings
- lonelyadjective
- by oneselfadverb
Opposites
- gemeinsamtogetheradjective
Related words
- Alleinseinbeing alonenoun
- alleinerziehendsingle-parentadjective