fremdgehen

German

Etymology

From fremd +‎ gehen, thus “to go strange”, that is “to go with an outsider”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfʁɛmtˌɡeːən/

• Audio:

  (file)

Verb

1. (now only slightly informal) to cheat; to be unfaithful (have sexual or romantic relations with another than one's stable partner, typically in secret)

   Ich bin meiner Frau nie fremdgegangen.

   I’ve never cheated on my wife.

2. (figurative, colloquial, chiefly humorous) to be unfaithful; to prefer someone or something else

   Ein echter Fan geht seinem Verein nicht fremd.

   A real supporter won’t cheat on his club.

Derived terms

• Fremdgehen
• Fremdgeher, Fremdgänger

Related terms

• fortgehen
• hintergehen

Descendants

• Dutch: vreemdgaan