Question
Updated on
28 Oct 2019
- English (UK)
-
German
Question about German
What's the difference between "Bekannte," "Kumpel," and "Freund?" Please provide definitions, not translations because the translation in this case isn't super useful. How many hours do you need to spend together before a "Bekannte" becomes a "Kumpel." And please mention where exactly you live. I know in Switzerland that everyone is a "Kollege," eben though you've never worked together, unless you've known each other since primary school, then they are "Freunde."
What's the difference between "Bekannte," "Kumpel," and "Freund?" Please provide definitions, not translations because the translation in this case isn't super useful. How many hours do you need to spend together before a "Bekannte" becomes a "Kumpel." And please mention where exactly you live. I know in Switzerland that everyone is a "Kollege," eben though you've never worked together, unless you've known each other since primary school, then they are "Freunde."
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- German
Bekannte(r): Someone you know, but are not close with. Maybe you briefly talked with this person at a party or you know each other from attending a course together e.g.
Kumpel: An informal term for a male "friend", but the relationship is rather on the loose side, a superficial friendship one could say. There is no clear-cut answer to when a "Bekannter" becomes a "Kumpel", it's a matter of personal attitude. This might be someone I spend time with (playing games, drinking etc.), but would not really confide in for more serious issues. Only the latter I would personally call "Freund", someone I trust and can freely speak my mind to.
"Freund" is a more intimate term, because it can also mean "boyfriend". To differentiate Germans usually say "ein Freund" to refer to a friend and "mein Freund" to mean "boyfriend".
I live in the Rhine Main Area btw, not too far from Frankfurt.
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- English (UK)
@Ema_non Ah. Thanks. So "Kumpel" kind of overlaps parts of both "Freund" and "Bekannte." But only for makes, right? Because the female version of "Kumpelin" or not used very often. So when talking about males, the word "Freund" is usually a stronger, closer friendship cause the person had the opportunity that they could have used the word "Kumpel" instead, but when talking about girls, you have to choose only between two words, right?
- German
@bhkkakwpkpcp Yes, "Kumpel" is only for males, I've never ever heard "Kumpelin" being used :))
As confusing as it is, you should take these definitions above with a grain of salt, since some might also use "Freund" and "Kumpel" interchangeably, e.g.
- Kennst du Markus? Der ist ein <guter Kumpel> von mir.
which could definitely be someone you're close with, like a "Freund". Some will prefer this term because it has a more "masculine vibe" and because it sounds more casual.
When talking about girls, yes, there are only those two words.
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- English (UK)
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