German word

duzen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈduːtsn̩/

Meaning

  • verbuse the informal you with someone

Example

Sie duzt ihren Nachbarn seit Jahren.

She has been using the informal you with her neighbor for years.

Illustration for duzen (use the informal you with someone)

More examples

In vielen Start-ups duzt man sich gegenseitig.

In many start-ups, people address one another informally.

Core concept

A conversation in which one person addresses the other as du rather than Sie.

Common phrases

  • jemanden per Du duzen

    address someone informally

  • sich gegenseitig duzen

    address each other informally

Similar words

siezen: Addressing someone with the formal you maintains respect or social distance.
ansprechen: Speaking to someone can introduce a topic or start a conversation.
anreden: Someone is directly addressed by name, title, or another designation.

Definition in German

mit jemandem duzen; in der Anrede 'du' statt 'Sie' verwenden.

Word origin

The verb duzen is formed from the second-person pronoun du with the verb-forming ending -zen.

Usage tips

  • Standard German commonly uses duzen transitively with an accusative object, as in jemanden duzen, rather than only mit jemandem duzen.

Opposites

  • siezenaddress someone formallyverb

Related words

  • das Duzenuse of informal younoun
  • geduztaddressed informallyadjective

Word lists with this word