Fräulein

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word Fräulein. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word Fräulein, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say Fräulein in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word Fräulein you have here. The definition of the word Fräulein will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofFräulein, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: fräulein, fraulein, and Fraulein

German

Etymology

Middle High German vrouwelīn (“mistress, young unmarried noblewoman”), equivalent to Frau +‎ -lein

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈfʁɔɪ̯laɪ̯n/ (standard)
  • IPA(key): /ˈfʁɔlaɪ̯n/ (colloquially, especially northern and central Germany)
  • Audio:(file)
  • Rhymes: -aɪ̯n

Noun

Fräulein n (strong, genitive Fräuleins, plural Fräuleins or Fräulein)

  1. diminutive of Frau (but not freely applicable)
  2. (dated, address for an unmarried woman) miss
    Guten Morgen, Fräulein Schmitz! ― Good morning, Miss Schmitz!
  3. miss, young woman (especially a shop assistant)
    Würden Sie mir kurz helfen, junges Fräulein! ― Would you help me please, miss!
  4. young lady, missy (said jokingly or rebukingly to a little girl)
    So, jetzt reicht's aber, Fräulein! ― All right, that's enough, young lady!
  5. (obsolete) A female animal or person

Usage notes

  • Fräulein as a formal address for an unmarried woman is now uncommon and considered disrespectful and sexist by some. Frau is the normal address for all women.
  • As an informal address for a girl or young woman whose name one does not know, particularly a shop assistant, the word is still fairly common, though chiefly restricted to older speakers. It is generally advised that it be replaced by Frau in all instances.

Declension

Declension of Fräulein
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein das Fräulein die Fräuleins, Fräulein
genitive eines des Fräuleins der Fräuleins, Fräulein
dative einem dem Fräulein den Fräuleins, Fräulein
accusative ein das Fräulein die Fräuleins, Fräulein

Descendants

Further reading

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia