first lieutenant
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first lieutenant
An officer rank in the armed forces, for example in the army or air force. In the German Bundeswehr, an Oberleutnant ranks above a Leutnant (second lieutenant) and below a Hauptmann (captain).
Der Oberleutnant gab seiner Kompanie den Befehl zum Abrücken.
The first lieutenant gave his company the order to move out.
The word is made up of 'Ober-' and 'Leutnant' (lieutenant). The prefix 'Ober-' means 'higher' or 'superior' and here indicates a higher rank than that of a simple lieutenant.
Nach seiner Beförderung war er nicht mehr Leutnant, sondern Oberleutnant.
After his promotion, he was no longer a lieutenant but a first lieutenant.
The prefix 'Ober-' is used in many German professional and rank titles to indicate a higher position. If you know this pattern, you can also understand other words like 'Oberarzt' (senior physician) or 'Oberkellner' (head waiter) more easily.
Der Oberkellner ist für alle Kellner im Restaurant verantwortlich.
The head waiter is responsible for all the waiters in the restaurant.
As a form of address or title before a name, 'Oberleutnant' is used without an article. When speaking generally about the person, the article is used.
Oberleutnant Weber meldet sich zum Dienst.
First Lieutenant Weber reporting for duty.
This is a specific technical term from the military field. Outside contexts such as the Bundeswehr, history, or films, this word is hardly used.
Im Geschichtsbuch las er über die Rolle der Offiziere wie dem Oberleutnant im Krieg.
In the history book, he read about the role of officers such as the first lieutenant in the war.
lieutenant colonel
Oberstleutnant and Oberleutnant are both officer ranks, but they occupy different positions in the hierarchy. Oberleutnant ranks above Leutnant and below Hauptmann, whereas Oberstleutnant falls between Major and Oberst. The key point is therefore which specific rank is meant.
Nach seiner Beförderung war er Oberleutnant und stand damit über dem Leutnant.
After his promotion, he was a first lieutenant, placing him above second lieutenant.
Nach dem Major wurde er zum Oberstleutnant und später zum Oberst befördert.
After Major, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and later to colonel.
