German word

ohne

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈoːnə/

Meaning

  • prepositionwithout

Example

Ich trinke meinen Kaffee ohne Zucker.

I drink my coffee without sugar.

Illustration for ohne (without)

More examples

Sie schaffte die Aufgabe ohne Hilfe.

She completed the task without help.

Core concept

An expected ingredient is missing from a cup, leaving the cup otherwise complete.

Common phrases

  • ohne Hilfe

    without help

  • ohne Milch

    without milk

  • ohne Geld

    without money

Similar words

ohne zu: Shows that the same person does not do something, followed by an infinitive with zu.
ohne dass: Shows that another person or event does not do something, using a subordinate clause.

Definition in German

Ausdrückt, dass etwas nicht vorhanden ist oder weggelassen wird; verlangt den Akkusativ.

Word origin

Ohne is inherited from Old High German āno through Middle High German âne, with its basic sense of absence retained.

Usage tips

  • Ohne takes the accusative, so 'ohne meinen Kaffee' is correct, not 'ohne mein Kaffee'.

Other meanings

  • excludingpreposition
  • minuspreposition

Opposites

  • mitwithpreposition

Word lists with this word