stand-up guy / man of honor
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stand-up guy
In modern colloquial and youth language, a term for a man who behaves in a particularly decent, fair, or loyal way. It is an expression of high appreciation for a good deed.
Er hat mir sein letztes Geld geliehen, ein echter Ehrenmann!
He lent me his last bit of money—what a real stand-up guy!
man of honor
A man of honor whose actions are characterized by decency, integrity, and reliability. This meaning is more traditional and formal.
Als Ehrenmann der alten Schule hielt er sein Versprechen unter allen Umständen.
As an old-school man of honor, he kept his promise under all circumstances.
The word is a compound of 'die Ehre' (honor) and 'der Mann' (man). So it literally describes a man who has honor or acts honorably.
Er gilt im Dorf als wahrer Ehrenmann.
He is considered a true man of honor in the village.
The meaning depends heavily on the context. In youth language, it is modern, positive praise. In more formal or literary contexts, it describes a man with traditional values such as decency and reliability.
Danke für die Hilfe, du bist ein Ehrenmann!
Thanks for the help, you're a stand-up guy!
In modern colloquial language, 'Ehrenmann' (stand-up guy) is often used as an exclamation or as a predicate noun to comment directly on a fair or loyal deed.
Dass du auf mich gewartet hast, war eine richtige Ehrenmann-Aktion.
The fact that you waited for me was a real stand-up-guy move.
In its traditional meaning, the word is often used in fixed phrases such as 'ein Ehrenmann der alten Schule' (an old-school man of honor) or in connection with a promise that has been given.
Er war ein Ehrenmann der alten Schule und bezahlte seine Schulden immer pünktlich.
He was an old-school man of honor and always paid his debts on time.
gentleman
Gentleman and Ehrenmann praise a man for his behavior. Gentleman emphasizes polite, considerate, and refined conduct. In modern colloquial language, Ehrenmann particularly highlights a fair, loyal, or decent action.
Er hält trotz eigener Nachteile sein Versprechen und ist ein echter Ehrenmann.
Despite the disadvantages to himself, he keeps his promise and is a true stand-up guy.
Er begrüßt alle Gäste aufmerksam und höflich wie ein echter Gentleman.
He greets all the guests attentively and politely, like a true gentleman.
