gemein
mean
Malicious, unfair, or hurtful toward other people.
EXAMPLE
Es war gemein von dir, deinem kleinen Bruder das Spielzeug wegzunehmen.
It was mean of you to take the toy away from your little brother.
gemein
mean / common
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Meanings
gemein
common
Shared; something that belongs to or is characteristic of several people or things. This meaning is rather rare and formal today.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Unternehmen haben ein gemeines Interesse am Erfolg des Projekts.
The two companies have a common interest in the success of the project.
gemein
common / lowly
Simple, ordinary, or of low social status. This meaning is outdated.
EXAMPLE
Das gemeine Volk versammelte sich auf dem Marktplatz.
The common people gathered in the marketplace.
Usage tips
Main modern meaning
In modern everyday language, 'gemein' (mean) almost always means 'malicious,' 'unfair,' or 'hurtful.' It describes negative behavior toward others.
EXAMPLE
Hör auf, so gemein zu deiner Schwester zu sein!
Stop being so mean to your sister!
Word family
'Gemein' (mean/common) is related to 'gemeinsam' (together/shared) and 'die Gemeinschaft' (community). The original meaning was 'belonging to everyone.' From that, the modern negative meaning developed through 'ordinary' and 'vulgar.'
EXAMPLE
Früher bezeichnete man die einfachen Bürger als das „gemeine Volk“.
In the past, ordinary citizens were referred to as the 'gemeine Volk' (common people).
Fixed expression
The old meaning 'gemeinsam' (shared/common) has been preserved in the fixed expression 'etwas gemein haben' (to have something in common). Here the word has no negative meaning.
EXAMPLE
Trotz ihrer Unterschiede haben die beiden vieles gemein.
Despite their differences, the two have a lot in common.
Compare with
gemein vs link
sneaky / left
Link and gemein can both describe an intentionally bad action or hurtful behavior. Link emphasizes that someone is sneaky, dishonest, or difficult to see through; gemein focuses more on maliciousness or causing hurt. Choose link when deception is involved and gemein for openly hurtful behavior.
gemein
Es war gemein, dass er vor allen anderen über ihre Angst lachte.
It was mean of him to laugh at her fear in front of everyone else.
link
Es war link, dass er mir absichtlich die falsche Uhrzeit nannte.
It was sneaky of him to deliberately give me the wrong time.
In real life
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