German word

jedermann

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈjeːdɐˌman/

Meaning

  • pronouneveryone

Example

Jedermann möchte glücklich sein.

Everyone would like to be happy.

Illustration for jedermann (everyone)

More examples

Er redet mit jedermann über verschiedene Themen.

He talks to everyone about various topics.

Core concept

One word that points across an entire crowd without selecting any individual, especially in elevated public language.

Common phrases

  • mit jedermann reden

    talk to everyone

  • bei jedermann Anerkennung finden

    be appreciated by everyone

Similar words

jeder: Refers to each person individually within a group.
alle: Refers to all members of a group collectively.
man: Refers vaguely to people in general.

Definition in German

Bezeichnet jede Person und kommt vorwiegend im formellen, literarischen oder rechtlichen Sprachgebrauch vor; wird grammatisch meist als Singular behandelt.

Word origin

The word developed from the Middle High German compound jederman, formed from jeder and Mann, and came to denote people in general.

Usage tips

  • Despite the element Mann, jedermann is normally lowercase in the middle of a sentence because it functions as an indefinite pronoun.

Other meanings

  • anyonepronoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word