der Legionär
legionary
A soldier who served in a legion of the ancient Roman Empire.
EXAMPLE
Die Disziplin und Ausbildung der römischen Legionäre war legendär.
The discipline and training of the Roman legionaries was legendary.
der Legionär
legionary
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Meanings
der Legionär
legionnaire
A soldier who serves in the French Foreign Legion (Légion étrangère).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Krieg trat er als Legionär in die Fremdenlegion ein.
After the war, he joined the Foreign Legion as a legionnaire.
der Legionär
foreign player
In sports jargon, a professional athlete who is under contract with a club abroad.
EXAMPLE
Der Fußballverein hat für die neue Saison drei Legionäre aus Brasilien verpflichtet.
The football club has signed three foreign players from Brazil for the new season.
Usage tips
Word family
A 'Legionär' (legionary/legionnaire) is always a member of a 'Legion' (legion). Understanding the word 'die Legion' as a large military or figurative unit is the key to all meanings.
EXAMPLE
Jeder Legionär war Teil einer größeren Einheit, der Legion.
Every legionary was part of a larger unit, the legion.
Context clue
The context reveals the meaning: historical texts about Rome mean the ancient soldier. Reports about the French military mean the Foreign Legion soldier. In the sports section of the newspaper, the foreign professional athlete is meant.
EXAMPLE
Im Geschichtsbuch las er über römische Legionäre.
In the history book, he read about Roman legionaries.
Context: Ancient Rome
When soldiers of the Roman Empire are being discussed, 'Legionär' (legionary) is often used together with the adjective 'römisch' (Roman) or in a clear historical context involving Caesar, Augustus, and the Imperium Romanum.
EXAMPLE
Ein römischer Legionär trug eine schwere Rüstung und ein Kurzschwert.
A Roman legionary wore heavy armor and a short sword.
Context: Foreign Legion
This meaning is specifically connected with the French 'Légion étrangère' (Foreign Legion). The term 'Fremdenlegion' (Foreign Legion) is often mentioned in the same sentence or text.
EXAMPLE
Er diente fünf Jahre als Legionär in der französischen Fremdenlegion.
He served for five years as a legionnaire in the French Foreign Legion.
Register: sports jargon
The use in sports is a metaphor and belongs to sports jargon. A player who 'fights' for a foreign club is figuratively compared to a soldier in a foreign legion.
EXAMPLE
Der Verein hat sein Budget erhöht, um internationale Legionäre zu verpflichten.
The club increased its budget in order to sign international foreign players.
Compare with
Legionär vs Söldner
mercenary
A Söldner is recruited for payment to fight in a foreign army or for a foreign power. A Legionär, by contrast, is defined by membership in the French Foreign Legion. Payment is the central factor with Söldner, while the specific military unit is central with Legionär.
Legionär
Der Legionär kämpft als Soldat der französischen Fremdenlegion.
The legionnaire fights as a soldier in the French Foreign Legion.
Söldner
Der Söldner kämpft gegen Bezahlung für eine fremde Macht.
The mercenary fights for a foreign power in exchange for payment.
In real life
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