Kerl

See also: kerl

German

Etymology

From Middle Low German kerl, from Proto-Germanic *karilaz, cognate with Old High German karal, from Proto-Germanic *karlaz, a variant of *karilaz. Akin to Dutch kerel, English churl, Old Norse and Danish karl.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /kɛʁl/, [kɛʁl], [kɛɐ̯l]
  • Audio(file)

Noun

Kerl m (genitive Kerls, plural Kerle or Kerls, diminutive Kerlchen n)

  1. fellow, guy, chap, bloke
  2. (obsolete) freeman

Usage notes
  • The normal plural is Kerle.
  • The plural Kerls is widely restricted to northern Germany. Compare a well-known former Prussian guard regiment called Lange Kerls (“tall fellows”).

Declension
Declension of Kerl
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Kerl die Kerle
genitive eines des Kerls der Kerle
dative einem dem Kerl den Kerlen
accusative einen den Kerl die Kerle
Declension of Kerl
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Kerl die Kerls
genitive eines des Kerls der Kerls
dative einem dem Kerl den Kerls
accusative einen den Kerl die Kerls

Derived terms

See also

Further reading
  • Kerl in Duden online

Old Frisian

Proper noun

Kerl

  1. Charles
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