English-German Cognates
Genuine Cognates • D
Words that are identical or similar in English and German
ALSO SEE
> False Cognates (False Friends)
> Confusing Words and Expressions
Noun Genders: r (der, masc.), e (die, fem.), s (das, neu.)
Abbreviations: adj. adjective, adv. adverb, Am American English, Br British English, diff. used in a different or limited sense, f.c. false cognate, n. noun, pl. plural, pron. pronounced, v. verb
* = Less obvious cognates that may not closely resemble each other in both English and German, but are cognates
** = Words used in English that come from German
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What's a COGNATE? > Grammar Glossary - C
D
dame e Dame
diff. - German Dame means "lady" (meine Damen und Herren = ladies and gentlemen) or "queen" in a deck of cards.
dance r Tanz
dancer r Tänzer/e Tänzerin
NOTE: Similar to dance/Tanz, other English-German cognates also reflect the so-called "d-t shift" in which an English d replaces the German t or th: dollar/Thaler, door/Tür, etc. This shift also works in the other direction: thank/danken, leather/Leder.
data e Daten (pl.)
data bank e Datenbank
date s Datum (calendar)
day r Tag* (d-t shift; see more under "dance" above)
dead tot* (TOTE)
death r Tod* (dare TOTE) (d-t shift; see more under "dance" above)
deaf taub* (d-t shift; see more under "dance" above)
debacle s Debakel
debut s Debüt
decadence e Dekadenz
decadent dekadent
decimal Dezimal-, e Dezimalzahl (decimal number)
December r Dezember
deck s Deck (nautical, bus)
decorate dekorieren
defect r Defekt (mech., physical)
demo e Demo (protest, sample)
Denmark s Dänemark
depot s Depot (storage, garage)
deserter r Deserteur
design s Design
designer r Designer
devil r Teufel* (TOY-fel) (d-t shift; see more under "dance" above)
diamond r Diamant
diesel r Diesel
NOTE: The diesel engine gets its name from its German inventor, Rudolf Diesel.
dike r Deich (barrier)
discipline e Disziplin
disco e Disko
discuss diskutieren (über)
discussion e Diskussion
dock s Dock (nautical)
doctor r Doktor
NOTE: As in English, the term Doktor can refer to various kinds of doctors (Ph.D., MD, etc.). A medical doctor or physician is der Arzt (m.) or die Ärztin (f.).
dollar r Thaler (d > th shift: Cognate Sound Shifts)
NOTE: A Thaler (pron. TALLER) is an old unit of currency from which "dollar" also gets its name.
dolphin r Delphin
domino r Domino (piece), s Domino (game)
door e Tür (d-t shift; see more under "dance" above)
doping s Doping
dove e Taube* (d-t shift; see more under "dance" above)
dozen s Dutzend
dream r Traum (TROW-m) (d-t shift; see more under "dance" above)
drink trinken
drunk(en) betrunken* (d-t shift; see more under "dance" above)
drug e Droge (illegal)
drugstore e Drogerie (sells cosmetics, toiletries, but NO prescriptions!)
dumb dumm (not smart)
dynamic dynamisch (adj./adv.)
dynamic(s) e Dynamik
dynamite s Dynamit
dynamo r Dynamo
dynasty e Dynastie
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ALSO > False Cognates (false friends)
MORE > English-German Glossaries on many topics
MORE > Confusing Words and Expressions in German
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