01
das Volk
people
All the citizens of a state; the population of a country.
example
In einer Demokratie geht alle Macht vom Volk aus.
In a democracy, all power comes from the people.
das Volk
people / nation
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 05
Usage tips
Word component
'Volk' (people/nation) is a central component of many German words that refer to the general public or the nation. Examples are 'Volkswagen', 'Volksfest' (folk festival/public festival), or 'Volkswirtschaft' (national economy).
EXAMPLE
Jedes Jahr im Oktober findet in unserer Stadt ein großes Volksfest statt.
Every year in October, a large public festival takes place in our city.
Cultural context
The sentence 'Wir sind das Volk!' (We are the people!) was the central slogan of the demonstrations in 1989 in East Germany. It has great historical and political significance in Germany.
EXAMPLE
Die Demonstranten riefen immer wieder: „Wir sind das Volk!“
The demonstrators kept shouting: 'We are the people!'
Plural form 'Völker'
The plural form 'die Völker' is used almost exclusively for the meaning 'ethnic groups' or 'nations'. In the singular, 'Volk' can have many meanings; in the plural, it is usually clear.
EXAMPLE
Die Ausstellung zeigt die Kunst und Kultur der Völker Südamerikas.
The exhibition shows the art and culture of the peoples of South America.
Register
The term 'das einfache Volk' (the common people) can sound outdated or slightly condescending today. It emphasizes a difference between the normal population and an elite.
EXAMPLE
In historischen Romanen liest man oft vom Leben des einfachen Volkes im Mittelalter.
In historical novels, you often read about the life of the common people in the Middle Ages.
Context clue
This biological meaning is very specific. It is used only in connection with social insects. Words like 'Bienen' (bees), 'Ameisen' (ants), or 'Imker' (beekeeper) are clear signals.
EXAMPLE
Der Imker kümmert sich um sein Bienenvolk.
The beekeeper takes care of his bee colony.
Compare with
Volk vs Leute
people
'die Leute' and 'das Volk' can both mean many people. However, 'die Leute' is much more everyday and neutral. It fits when you are speaking generally about people, for example on the bus, in a shop, or at work. 'das Volk' often has a larger or more serious meaning: it can mean the citizens of a state, a cultural community, or the common people as opposed to the elite. Sometimes it can also refer to a large crowd of people, but then it sounds less everyday. Learners may confuse the words because both point to people. In normal everyday situations, 'Leute' is almost always more natural; 'Volk' fits more with politics, history, culture, or special statements about a whole community.
Volk
In der Schule lernen wir, dass das Volk in einer Demokratie mitbestimmen kann.
At school, we learn that the people can have a say in a democracy.
Leute
Die Verkäuferin erklärt den Leuten heute, warum der Laden früher schließt.
The saleswoman is explaining to people today why the shop is closing earlier.
In real life
Loading video examples...