German word

demonstrieren

Pronunciation

IPA/demɔnˈstʁiːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbprotest

Example

Viele Leute demonstrieren vor dem Rathaus.

Many people are protesting in front of city hall.

Illustration for demonstrieren (protest)

More examples

Die Trainerin demonstriert den Teilnehmern die Übung.

The trainer demonstrates the exercise to the participants.

Core concept

A crowd makes its position visible in public, often with signs, voices, or a march.

Common phrases

  • gegen etwas demonstrieren

    demonstrate against something

  • für etwas demonstrieren

    demonstrate in support of something

  • bei einer Kundgebung demonstrieren

    demonstrate at a rally

Similar words

protestieren: Expressing opposition through words or actions.
auf die Straße gehen: Taking to the streets to publicly express opposition.
sich solidarisieren: Publicly showing support for another person or group.

Definition in German

öffentlich und oft in einer Gruppe gegen etwas protestieren, zum Beispiel bei Kundgebungen oder Straßenaktionen.

Word origin

German demonstrieren is a learned borrowing from Latin demonstrare, meaning to show clearly, with the public protest sense developing through public demonstrations.

Usage tips

  • The usual pattern is demonstrieren für something or gegen something, while the verb is also used for showing how something works.

Other meanings

  • demonstrateverb
  • showverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word