nobleman
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nobleman
A man who belongs to the nobility by birth, especially to the lower nobility. Today, the term is mainly used historically.
Im Mittelalter musste ein Edelmann seinem Lehnsherrn die Treue schwören.
In the Middle Ages, a nobleman had to swear loyalty to his liege lord.
nobleman
In a figurative, often elevated or old-fashioned sense, a man of exemplary, honorable, and generous character.
Er verhielt sich in dieser schwierigen Situation wie ein wahrer Edelmann.
He behaved like a true nobleman in this difficult situation.
The word is made up of 'edel' (noble, of high rank) and 'Mann' (man). So it literally describes an 'edler Mann' (noble man).
Er stammt von einem alten Edelmann ab.
He is descended from an old nobleman.
To distinguish the meanings, pay attention to the context. If the sentence refers to a historical period such as the Middle Ages, it means the nobleman. If it is about a person's character in the present, it means an honorable man.
Der Edelmann lebte im Mittelalter auf seiner Burg.
The nobleman lived in his castle in the Middle Ages.
This meaning is used almost exclusively in historical contexts, for example in books, films, or documentaries about the Middle Ages or the early modern period.
In Romanen über das 18. Jahrhundert ist der Held oft ein junger Edelmann.
In novels about the 18th century, the hero is often a young nobleman.
In the figurative meaning, the word is often combined with 'wahr' (true) or 'echt' (real). A very common expression is also 'sich verhalten wie ein Edelmann' (to behave like a nobleman).
Er hat ihr ohne Zögern geholfen – ein wahrer Edelmann.
He helped her without hesitation — a true nobleman.
Junker
Junker and Edelmann are historical terms for men from the nobility. Junker is more specific, referring particularly to a member of the Prussian or East Elbian landed nobility, whereas Edelmann is a more general term for a nobleman. In a general historical text, Edelmann is therefore usually the better choice.
Der historische Roman erzählt von einem Edelmann aus dem niederen Adel.
The historical novel tells the story of a nobleman from the lower nobility.
Der preußische Junker verwaltete seinen großen Landbesitz.
The Prussian landed nobleman managed his large estate.
