der Angehöriger
relative
A person who belongs to another person's family; a relative. Often used in the plural (die Angehörigen).
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei benachrichtigte die Angehörigen des Opfers.
The police notified the victim's relatives.
der Angehöriger
relative / member
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
der Angehöriger
member
A person who is a member of a particular group, organization, nation, or social class.
EXAMPLE
Er ist Angehöriger der Bundeswehr.
He is a member of the German armed forces.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Der Angehörige' is a nominalized participle of the verb 'angehören' (to belong to). So it describes a person who 'angehört' (belongs) to a group or family.
EXAMPLE
Als Angehöriger dieser Universität haben Sie Zugang zur Bibliothek.
As a member of this university, you have access to the library.
Common mistake: declension
Since this word is a nominalized adjective, it is also declined like an adjective. Pay attention to the endings, e.g. 'ein Angehöriger' (nominative), 'des Angehörigen' (genitive), 'die Angehörigen' (plural).
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei sprach mit einem Angehörigen der Familie.
The police spoke with a relative of the family.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the context: If the word appears in the plural ('die Angehörigen') without further specification, it usually means family members. If it appears in the singular with a genitive complement or a 'von' complement, it means a member of an organization.
EXAMPLE
Die Ärzte informierten die Angehörigen über den Zustand des Patienten.
The doctors informed the relatives about the patient's condition.
Typical use
In the meaning 'Familienmitglied' (family member), the word is often used in the plural ('die Angehörigen') and in official contexts, for example by hospitals, the police, or in death notices.
EXAMPLE
Das Krankenhaus bittet die Angehörigen, telefonisch Kontakt aufzunehmen.
The hospital asks the relatives to get in touch by phone.
Sentence structure: membership
When 'Angehöriger' describes a member of a group, the group usually follows in the genitive or with the preposition 'von'. The genitive form is more common in written language.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist Angehörige einer religiösen Minderheit.
She is a member of a religious minority.
Compare with
Angehöriger vs Mitglied
member
Mitglied usually refers to a person with a specific affiliation to a group or organization. Angehöriger can also refer to a person who belongs to a group, but emphasizes their classification as part of a larger group, nation, or institution. For formal membership in a club, Mitglied is usually the better choice.
Angehöriger
Als Angehöriger der Universität darf Paul die Bibliothek nutzen.
As a member of the university, Paul is allowed to use the library.
Mitglied
Als zahlendes Mitglied darf Paul an der Vereinswahl teilnehmen.
As a paying member, Paul is allowed to take part in the club election.
In real life
Loading video examples...