01
der Ehegatte
husband
A formal and legal term for the male partner in a marriage; the husband.
example
Im Testament wurde der überlebende Ehegatte als Alleinerbe eingesetzt.
In the will, the surviving husband was named the sole heir.
der Ehegatte
husband
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'die Ehe' (marriage) and 'der Gatte' (husband). 'Gatte' by itself is already a more formal term for a husband.
EXAMPLE
Als Ehegatte hat man bestimmte gesetzliche Rechte und Pflichten.
As a husband, you have certain legal rights and duties.
Register and style
'Ehegatte' (husband) is a very formal, legal term. You find it in contracts, laws, or on forms, but not in everyday spoken language, where you would say 'mein Mann' (my husband).
EXAMPLE
Bitte tragen Sie hier den Namen Ihres Ehegatten ein.
Please enter your husband's name here.
Use in the plural
The plural form 'die Ehegatten' (the spouses) is often used to refer to the married couple as a legal unit. It then includes both partners, the husband and the wife.
EXAMPLE
Die Ehegatten haften gemeinsam für die Schulden.
The spouses are jointly liable for the debts.
Compare with
Ehegatte vs Mann
man
'der Mann' and 'der Ehegatte' can both mean the male partner in a marriage. 'der Mann' is very natural for this in everyday language, for example when someone is talking about their husband. But the word can also simply mean an adult male person. 'der Ehegatte' is much more formal and is used mainly in forms, at government offices, or in legal texts. Learners may confuse the words because both can mean 'husband'. The important point is: not every man is an 'Ehegatte', and in normal conversation 'mein Mann' sounds much more natural than 'mein Ehegatte'.
Ehegatte
Auf dem Formular muss sie den Namen ihres Ehegatten eintragen.
On the form, she has to enter the name of her husband.
Mann
Meine Freundin fährt heute mit ihrem Mann im Zug nach Hamburg.
My friend is taking the train to Hamburg with her husband today.
In real life
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