der Freund
male friend · boyfriend
Der Freund means 'friend' and is one of the first words learners meet. It refers to a male friend or a boyfriend depending on context. Germans use it for close companions, and the feminine form is 'die Freundin'.
What Freund means
- male friend — a male person you have a friendly relationship with
- boyfriend — a male romantic partner; often clarified with 'mein Freund' (my boyfriend) vs. 'ein Freund von mir' (a friend of mine)
Heard in real German videos
Lines where Freund was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Dafür sind Freunde da.That's what friends are for.
- Komm her, mein kleiner Freund.Come here, my little friend.
- Ich habe gedacht, Patrick ist mein Freund.I thought Patrick was my friend.
Example sentences
- Er ist mein bester Freund.He is my best friend.
- Ich treffe heute einen Freund.I am meeting a friend today.
- Sie hat viele Freunde.She has many friends.
- Mein Freund kommt aus Berlin.My boyfriend comes from Berlin.
Grammar
| Gender | masculine |
|---|---|
| Plural | die Freunde |
| Genitive | des Freundes / des Freunds |
| Declension | regular masculine noun; singular accusative den Freund, dative dem Freund, genitive des Freundes/des Freunds; plural die Freunde, dative den Freunden |
The plural is 'Freunde' and the dative plural adds -n: 'mit den Freunden'.
Common phrases
- gute Freundegood friends
- ein Freund von mira friend of mine (not a boyfriend)
- beste Freundebest friends
- Freundschaft schließento become friends / to form a friendship
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers often use 'Freund' for both male and female friends, but the female form is 'Freundin'. Also, 'mein Freund' usually means 'my boyfriend', so to say 'a friend of mine' use 'ein Freund von mir'.
Don’t confuse it with
- die Freundin — Freundin is the female equivalent: a female friend or girlfriend.
- der Bekannte — Bekannter/Bekannte means 'acquaintance', someone you know but are not close to.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between 'Freund' and 'Freundin'?
Freund is masculine and means male friend or boyfriend. Freundin is feminine and means female friend or girlfriend.
How do you say 'my friend' without implying a romantic relationship?
Use 'ein Freund von mir' for a male friend or 'eine Freundin von mir' for a female friend. 'Mein Freund' usually means 'my boyfriend'.
What is the plural of 'Freund'?
The plural is 'Freunde'. In the dative case, it becomes 'Freunden'.