treu
loyal / faithful
To be loyal, reliable, and devoted to a person, cause, or belief and not turn away from it.
EXAMPLE
Ein Hund gilt oft als der treueste Freund des Menschen.
A dog is often considered a person's most faithful friend.
treu
loyal / faithful
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Meanings
treu
loyal
To remain connected over a long period of time as a customer or supporter of a particular brand, store, or club.
EXAMPLE
Er ist seit über zwanzig Jahren ein treuer Kunde unserer Bäckerei.
He has been a loyal customer of our bakery for over twenty years.
treu
faithful / true
Corresponding exactly to a model, original, or description; true to detail.
EXAMPLE
Der Film ist eine treue Verfilmung des berühmten Romans.
The film is a faithful adaptation of the famous novel.
Usage tips
False friend
'Treu' means 'loyal' or 'faithful' and is often confused with the English word 'true'. However, 'true' in German means 'wahr' (true) or 'richtig' (correct).
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein treuer Freund, auf den man sich immer verlassen kann.
He is a loyal friend whom you can always rely on.
Word family
The adjective 'treu' (loyal/faithful) is closely related to the noun 'die Treue' (loyalty/faithfulness). 'Die Treue' describes the quality or state of being loyal.
EXAMPLE
Seine Treue zu seinen Prinzipien ist bewundernswert.
His loyalty to his principles is admirable.
Dative construction
To express whom one is loyal to, 'treu' is used with the dative. The fixed structure is: 'jemandem treu sein' (to be faithful to someone) or 'jemandem treu bleiben' (to remain faithful to someone).
EXAMPLE
Sie ist ihrem Mann immer treu geblieben.
She always remained faithful to her husband.
Context clue
In the context of art, literature, or copies, 'treu' means that something corresponds very closely to the original. Typical collocations are 'eine treue Kopie' (a faithful copy), 'eine treue Übersetzung' (a faithful translation), or 'eine treue Wiedergabe' (a faithful reproduction).
EXAMPLE
Diese Software erstellt eine treue Kopie der Originaldatei.
This software creates a faithful copy of the original file.
Compare with
treu vs getreu
faithful / true to
Treu and getreu can both express a lasting, reliable bond. Getreu is especially often used with a dative and highlights reliably remaining committed to a particular person or thing. Treu is generally suitable for the same kind of bond.
treu
Auch nach dem Abstieg blieb sie ihrem Verein treu.
Even after relegation, she remained loyal to her club.
getreu
Auch nach dem Abstieg blieb sie ihrem Verein getreu.
Even after relegation, she remained loyal to her club.
In real life
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