der Bursche
lad
A term for a boy or young man. Depending on the context, the tone can be neutral, approving, or slightly derogatory.
EXAMPLE
Der Bursche hat uns tatkräftig beim Tragen geholfen.
The lad gave us active help with carrying things.
der Bursche
lad / fraternity member
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Meanings
der Bursche
fraternity member
A member of a student association, especially a German student fraternity.
EXAMPLE
Als junger Student war er ein aktiver Bursche in Heidelberg.
As a young student, he was an active fraternity member in Heidelberg.
Usage tips
Grammar: n-declension
'Der Bursche' belongs to the n-declension. This means it takes the ending '-n' in all cases except the nominative singular.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe den Burschen nach dem Weg gefragt.
I asked the lad for directions.
Register and tone
The term 'Bursche' for a boy or young man is often somewhat colloquial or can sound a little old-fashioned. Depending on the situation, the tone can be approving ('ein pfiffiger Bursche' — a clever lad) or also slightly condescending.
EXAMPLE
Na, ihr Burschen, was treibt ihr denn hier?
Well, you lads, what are you doing here?
Context clue
The meaning 'member of a student fraternity' is usually only relevant in an academic or historical context. Words like 'Student' (student), 'Verbindung' (student association/fraternity), or 'Universität' (university) in the same sentence are a clear clue to this meaning.
EXAMPLE
Mein Urgroßvater war in seiner Studienzeit ein engagierter Bursche.
My great-grandfather was a committed fraternity member during his student days.
Compare with
Bursche vs Junge
boy
Der Junge is a general term for a male child or adolescent boy. Der Bursche can also refer to a boy or young man, but depending on the context, it can sound neutral, approving, or slightly derogatory. For an unmarked term, der Junge is the better choice.
Bursche
Der hilfsbereite Bursche half der alten Frau mit ihrer schweren Tasche.
The helpful lad helped the old woman with her heavy bag.
Junge
Der Junge half der alten Frau mit ihrer schweren Tasche.
The boy helped the old woman with her heavy bag.
In real life
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