alemanes
“alemanes” means “Germans” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
Germans
📝 In Action
Los alemanes tienen fama de ser muy organizados.
A1Germans have a reputation for being very organized.
Muchos alemanes vienen a España de vacaciones.
A2Many Germans come to Spain for vacation.
German
Also: of Germany
📝 In Action
Los coches alemanes son muy fiables.
A1German cars are very reliable.
Estudiamos los métodos alemanes de ingeniería.
B1We are studying the German methods of engineering.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: alemanes
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'alemanes' as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin term *Alamanni*, which was the name of a confederation of Germanic tribes that lived near the Rhine River. The name literally meant something like 'all men' or 'men of all kinds.'
First recorded: Medieval Spanish texts.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the singular 'alemán' have an accent, but the plural 'alemanes' does not?
Spanish accent rules dictate that words ending in 'n' that are stressed on the last syllable need an accent (like 'alemán'). When you add 'es' to make it plural ('alemanes'), the stress naturally shifts back to the second-to-last syllable ('MAH-ness'), following the general rule for most Spanish words. Therefore, the written accent is no longer necessary.
How do I refer to a group of German women?
You must use the feminine plural form: 'alemanas'. For example, 'Las alemanas ganaron el partido' (The German women won the game).