Untermensch

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from German Untermensch.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈʊntəmɛnʃ/

Noun

Untermensch (plural Untermenschen)

  1. (derogatory, especially Nazism) An inferior person; a subhuman, especially in a Nazi racial hierarchy.
    Antonym: Übermensch
    • 2009, John Sadler, Glencoe, Amberley 2009, page 19:
      His orders are clear and concise – the Scots are viewed as untermenschen and are to be treated accordingly.

German

Etymology

From unter- (“under”) +‎ Mensch (“human being”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): [ˈʊntɐˌmɛnʃ]
  • Audio(file)

Noun

Untermensch m (weak, genitive Untermenschen, plural Untermenschen)

  1. (derogatory) an inferior person; a subhuman
    Antonym: Übermensch

Usage notes
  • As the races whom the Nazis persecuted were often collectively referred to as Untermenschen, this term is consequently strongly associated with the Nazis and their ideology.

Declension
Declension of Untermensch [masculine, weak]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Untermensch die Untermenschen
genitive eines des Untermenschen der Untermenschen
dative einem dem Untermenschen den Untermenschen
accusative einen den Untermenschen die Untermenschen

Derived terms

Further reading
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