Earthling
der Erdling, die Erdlinge
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Earthling
A human being as an inhabitant of the planet Earth, especially from the perspective of extraterrestrial beings. The term is often used in science fiction or humorously.
Die Außerirdischen nahmen einen Erdling mit auf ihren Heimatplaneten.
The aliens took an Earthling with them to their home planet.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Erdlinge |
| genitive | des Erdlings |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Erdling | die Erdlinge |
| accusative | den Erdling | die Erdlinge |
| dative | dem Erdling | den Erdlingen |
| genitive | des Erdlings | der Erdlinge |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The component „Erd-“ (Earth) refers to the Earth. The ending „-ling“ turns it into a term for an individual being.
Auf dem fremden Planeten fühlte sich der Erdling sehr allein.
The Earthling felt very alone on the foreign planet.
In stories, extraterrestrial characters often address humans directly as „Erdling“ (Earthling) or „ihr Erdlinge“ (you Earthlings). Such an address is separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma.
Keine Angst, Erdling, wir kommen in Frieden!
Don't be afraid, Earthling, we come in peace!
With „wir Erdlinge“ (we Earthlings), the speaker explicitly includes themselves in the group of humans on Earth. This expression is especially suitable for statements about humanity as a whole.
Vielleicht werden wir Erdlinge eines Tages auf anderen Planeten leben.
Perhaps we Earthlings will live on other planets one day.
