German word

getreu

Pronunciation

IPA/gəˈtʁɔɪ̯/

Meaning

  • adjectivefaithful

Example

Er ist ein getreuer Freund.

He is a faithful friend.

Illustration for getreu (faithful)

More examples

Sie handelt getreu ihrer Überzeugung.

She acts faithfully according to her convictions.

Core concept

A companion or copy remains closely aligned with its person or model without drifting away.

Common phrases

  • getreu ihrer Überzeugung

    faithful to her convictions

  • getreu der Tradition

    faithful to tradition

Similar words

treu: Constantly devoted and affectionate toward a close companion.
loyal: Showing allegiance and dedication to a group or organization.
zuverlässig: Reliable in fulfilling promises and completing assigned tasks.

Definition in German

Jemandem gegenüber loyal und zuverlässig; auch so gebraucht, dass etwas einem Muster oder einer Gewohnheit genau folgt.

Word origin

Getreu is an inherited German formation from treu with the prefix ge-, continuing Old High German gitriuwi and sharing a Germanic root with English true.

Usage tips

  • Getreu sounds more formal than treu and commonly appears in phrases such as "getreu dem Original," with the reference in the dative.

Other meanings

  • faithfullyadverb
  • trueadjective

Opposites

  • illoyaldisloyaladjective

Related words

  • Getreueloyal followernoun

Word lists with this word