nickname
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nickname
An additional, often informal, personal, or funny name that a person receives from friends, family, or colleagues. It replaces or supplements the actual first name.
Sein richtiger Name ist Alexander, aber alle nennen ihn bei seinem Spitznamen Sascha.
His real name is Alexander, but everyone calls him by his nickname Sascha.
The word is made up of 'spitz' (pointed/sharp) and 'Name' (name). A 'Spitzname' (nickname) is not a literally pointed name, but rather a fitting, sometimes cheeky or affectionate name.
Wegen seiner roten Haare war sein Spitzname in der Schule „Feuerkopf“.
Because of his red hair, his nickname at school was 'Firehead'.
Common verbs used with 'Spitzname' (nickname) are 'jemandem einen Spitznamen geben' (to give someone a nickname), 'einen Spitznamen haben' (to have a nickname), or 'jemanden beim Spitznamen nennen' (to call someone by their nickname).
Seine Freunde haben ihm den Spitznamen „Professor“ gegeben, weil er so viel liest.
His friends gave him the nickname 'Professor' because he reads so much.
When you give someone a nickname, the person who receives the name is in the dative. The construction is: subject + gibt + dative person + accusative nickname.
Meine Schwester hat ihrer Katze den Spitznamen „Tiger“ gegeben.
My sister gave her cat the nickname 'Tiger'.
first name
'der Vorname' and 'der Spitzname' can both refer directly to a person. However, the first name is the official personal name that appears on IDs, forms, and contracts. A nickname is informal and is often used by friends, family, or colleagues. It can be funny, short, or personal. The words can be confused because a nickname is sometimes used like a normal name. In official situations, you use the first name; in private conversation, the nickname may sound more natural.
Im Fußballverein nennen ihn alle „Tomi“, weil das sein Spitzname ist.
At the football club, everyone calls him 'Tomi' because that is his nickname.
Für den neuen Vertrag braucht die Firma meinen Vornamen und meinen Nachnamen.
For the new contract, the company needs my first name and my last name.