der Neuling
newcomer
A person who is new and inexperienced in a particular field, group, or activity.
EXAMPLE
Als Neuling im Team musste er sich erst einmal einarbeiten.
As a newcomer to the team, he first had to get settled in.
der Neuling
newcomer
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is derived from the adjective 'neu' (new) and has the ending '-ling'. This ending is often used for people who have a particular characteristic. A 'Neuling' is therefore literally a 'new person'.
EXAMPLE
Der Trainer gab dem Neuling eine Chance, sich zu beweisen.
The coach gave the newcomer a chance to prove himself.
Typical collocations
'Neuling' is often used with the preposition 'als' (as) to describe the role. Another typical construction is 'ein Neuling auf einem Gebiet sein' (to be a newcomer in a field), used to name the area of inexperience.
EXAMPLE
Als Neuling in der Firma hatte ich viele Fragen.
As a newcomer to the company, I had many questions.
Usage context
The word is very versatile and can be used in almost any context where someone is new: at work, in a sports club, in a hobby, or in a social group.
EXAMPLE
Die erfahrenen Wanderer halfen dem Neuling beim Aufstieg.
The experienced hikers helped the newcomer during the climb.
Compare with
Neuling vs Fuchs
fox
Fuchs and Neuling can both refer to a new, inexperienced member of a group. Fuchs, however, is the specific traditional term for a member of a student fraternity during the probationary period. Neuling is more general when neither this type of group nor this status is meant.
Neuling
Der Neuling im Verein lernt bei den ersten Treffen die anderen Mitglieder kennen.
At the first meetings, the newcomer to the club gets to know the other members.
Fuchs
Der neue Fuchs der Studentenverbindung nimmt in der Probezeit an allen Treffen teil.
The fraternity’s new member attends all the meetings during the probationary period.
In real life
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