East German
der Ossi, die Ossis
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East German
A colloquial, sometimes derogatory term for a person from East Germany, especially a citizen of the former GDR.
Der Ossi erzählte, wie er die Zeit vor der Wiedervereinigung erlebt hatte.
The East German described how he experienced the period before reunification.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Ossis |
| genitive | des Ossis |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Ossi | die Ossis |
| accusative | den Ossi | die Ossis |
| dative | dem Ossi | den Ossis |
| genitive | des Ossis | der Ossis |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Ossis |
| genitive | der Ossi |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Ossi | die Ossis |
| accusative | die Ossi | die Ossis |
| dative | der Ossi | den Ossis |
| genitive | der Ossi | der Ossis |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Ossi' is primarily a colloquial term and is often deliberately marked in historical or social discussions. In written texts, the word can signal a literal statement, a quotation, or a particular attitude on the part of the speaker.
In dem Interview erzählt ein Ossi von seiner Kindheit in der DDR.
In the interview, an East German talks about his childhood in the GDR.
Depending on the speaker and situation, 'Ossi' can be intended neutrally, self ironically, or derogatorily. It is therefore especially important to consider whether a person describes themselves this way or whether others call them this.
Er bezeichnet sich selbst als Ossi und spricht offen über seine Erfahrungen nach der Wiedervereinigung.
He describes himself as an East German and speaks openly about his experiences after reunification.
Common collocations include 'sich als Ossi bezeichnen' (to describe oneself as an East German), 'als Ossi aufgewachsen sein' (to have grown up as an East German), and 'über Erfahrungen als Ossi sprechen' (to talk about one's experiences as an East German). The word often appears in connection with personal background, history, or identity.
Sie ist als Ossi aufgewachsen und erinnert sich noch gut an die Zeit vor der Wiedervereinigung.
She grew up as an East German and still remembers the period before reunification well.
