Untermensch

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

English

 Untermensch on Wikipedia

Alternative forms

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from German Untermensch.

Pronunciation

Noun

Untermensch (plural Untermenschen)

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

German

Etymology

18th century, from unter- (“under, sub”) +‎ Mensch (“human being”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈʊntəʁˌmɛnʃ/, ,
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

Untermensch m (weak, genitive Untermenschen, plural Untermenschen)

  1. (derogatory, now proscribed, dated) a subhuman, a morally or culturally inferior person
    Synonyms: (morally) Unmensch, Bestie, (culturally) Barbar, Primitivling, Neandertaler
  2. (post-Nietzschean philosophy) one who is not an Übermensch
  3. (Nazism) a racially or otherwise genetically inferior person (who accordingly deserves to be persecuted, enslaved, or exterminated)
    Antonym: Herrenmensch
    Auch Berufsverbrecher und Alkoholiker wurden zu den Untermenschen gezählt, da man diese Erscheinungen genetisch erklärte.
    Career criminals and alcoholics were also counted among the untermenschen, because these phenomena were explained genetically.

Declension

Declension of Untermensch
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

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia