German word

stolz

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃtɔlts/

Meaning

  • adjectiveproud

Example

Ich bin stolz auf dich.

I am proud of you.

Illustration for stolz (proud)

More examples

Die Eltern waren stolz auf ihre Tochter.

The parents were proud of their daughter.

Core concept

An upright, pleased expression shows satisfaction in a personal achievement or in someone else's success.

Common phrases

  • auf jemanden stolz sein

    be proud of someone

  • auf etwas stolz sein

    be proud of something

  • auf sich stolz sein

    be proud of oneself

Similar words

selbstbewusst: Calmly confident in personal worth and abilities.
überheblich: Showing an exaggerated sense of superiority toward others.
zufrieden: Peaceful and satisfied after getting the expected result.

Definition in German

Ein Adjektiv, das Gefühle von Selbstwert und Freude über eigene Leistungen oder über nahestehende Personen beschreibt.

Word origin

The older German sense of stolz referred to a stiff, stately bearing, which developed into the modern emotional sense of pride.

Usage tips

  • Stolz can express healthy pride or smug self-satisfaction, so context determines whether it sounds approving or critical.

Other meanings

  • smugadjective
  • proudlyadverb

Opposites

  • beschämtashamedadjective

Related words

  • Stolzpridenoun
  • stolzierenstrutverb
  • stolzhaftpridefuladjective

Word lists with this word