der Homo
homo
A colloquial, often derogatory term for a gay man.
EXAMPLE
Er wurde wegen seiner Beziehung zu einem Mann als Homo beschimpft.
He was insulted as a homo because of his relationship with a man.
der Homo
homo
der Homo, die Homos
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Meanings
der Homo
Homo
In formal and scientific language, used to mean human; especially in Latin terms that classify humans as a species or characterize them by certain traits.
EXAMPLE
Der moderne Mensch wird wissenschaftlich als Homo sapiens bezeichnet.
Modern humans are scientifically referred to as Homo sapiens.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Homo, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance (der)
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Homos |
| genitive | des Homos |
The four cases (der)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Homo | die Homos |
| accusative | den Homo | die Homos |
| dative | dem Homo | den Homos |
| genitive | des Homos | der Homos |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
At a glance (der)
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Homines |
| genitive | des Homos |
The four cases (der)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Homo | die Homines |
| accusative | den Homo | die Homines |
| dative | dem Homo | den Homines |
| genitive | des Homos | der Homines |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning can usually be recognized from the context: in direct address or as an insult, „Homo“ refers to a gay man and may be derogatory. In biological or scientific texts, „Homo“ is part of a Latin species name.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Schulhof wird „Homo“ oft als Schimpfwort benutzt.
„Homo“ is often used as a slur in the schoolyard.
Homo sapiens entwickelte sich in Afrika.
Homo sapiens evolved in Africa.
Derogatory use
This meaning belongs to colloquial language and is often used in a derogatory or offensive way. Therefore, you should use the word in this sense only when describing a specific statement or its effect.
EXAMPLE
Er nannte seinen Mitschüler einen Homo.
He called his classmate a homo.
Scientific terms
In scientific texts, „Homo“ usually appears as part of a Latin species name. Typical terms include Homo sapiens, Homo erectus, and Homo habilis.
EXAMPLE
Homo sapiens ist die einzige heute lebende Art der Gattung Homo.
Homo sapiens is the only living species of the genus Homo today.
In real life
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