der Angehörige
relative
A person who belongs to the family; a relative.
EXAMPLE
Die Angehörigen des Patienten wurden über seinen Zustand informiert.
The patient's relatives were informed about his condition.
der Angehörige
relative / member
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Meanings
der Angehörige
member
A person who is a member of a particular group, organization, or institution.
EXAMPLE
Als Angehöriger der Streitkräfte unterliegt er der Militärgerichtsbarkeit.
As a member of the armed forces, he is subject to military jurisdiction.
Usage tips
Like an adjective
The word 'Angehörige(r)' is a noun, but it is declined like an adjective. The ending changes depending on the article and case.
EXAMPLE
Ein Angehöriger hat die Polizei informiert.
A relative informed the police.
Often in the plural
When it refers to family, the word is very often used in the plural 'die Angehörigen' (the relatives/family members). This means a person's whole family, especially in official contexts such as in a hospital or with the police.
EXAMPLE
Das Krankenhaus bittet die Angehörigen um einen Besuch.
The hospital asks the relatives to visit.
Sentence structure with genitive
To name the group or organization, the genitive is usually used. In spoken language, you sometimes also hear 'von' + dative.
EXAMPLE
Er ist Angehöriger der Universität Freiburg.
He is a member of the University of Freiburg.
Compare with
Angehörige vs Mitglied
member
Both words can refer to a person who belongs to a family. Mitglied is the general term for belonging to a group and is often used with families in the compound Familienmitglied. Angehöriger directly describes the family relationship and is therefore usually more natural in this context.
Angehörige
Tom ist ein Angehöriger der Familie und hilft oft im Haushalt.
Tom is a relative and often helps around the house.
Mitglied
Tom ist ein Mitglied der Familie und hilft oft im Haushalt.
Tom is a member of the family and often helps around the house.
In real life
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