Kerl

See also: kerl

German

Etymology

From Middle Low German kerl, from Proto-Germanic *karilaz, cognate with Old High German karal, from Proto-Germanic *karlaz, a variant of *karilaz. Akin to Dutch kerel, English churl, Old Norse and Danish karl.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /kɛʁl/, [kɛʁl], [kɛɐ̯l]
  • Audio(file)

Noun

Kerl m (genitive Kerls, plural Kerle or Kerls, diminutive Kerlchen n)

  1. fellow, guy, chap, bloke
  2. (obsolete) freeman

Usage notes

  • The normal plural is Kerle.
  • The plural Kerls is widely restricted to northern Germany. Compare a well-known former Prussian guard regiment called Lange Kerls (“tall fellows”).

Declension

Derived terms

See also

Further reading

  • Kerl in Duden online

Old Frisian

Proper noun

Kerl

  1. Charles
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