Untermensch

See also: untermensch, Üntermensch, and üntermensch

English

Alternative forms

• untermensch

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

• Untermenschentum

Further reading

• “Untermensch” in Duden online