Definify.com

Definition 2025

Hochdeutsch

Hochdeutsch

See also: hochdeutsch

German

Noun

Hochdeutsch n ‎(genitive Hochdeutschen or Hochdeutsch or Hochdeutschs, no plural)

(common usage) Standard German (including the colloquial; antonym of dialect)
Viele junge Leute sprechen nur noch Hochdeutsch.
Many young people only speak Standard German.
(linguistics) High German
Die deutschen Dialekte teilen sich in Niederdeutsch und Hochdeutsch.
The German dialects are divided into Low German and High German.

Usage notes

The High German dialects formed the basis of modern Standard German, whereas Low German had only a secondary influence on it. Therefore, the term Hochdeutsch has come to mean Standard German in common usage. In this meaning it includes the standard-based colloquial varieties.

In scientific usage, Standard German proper is referred to as Neuhochdeutsch, Schriftdeutsch or Standarddeutsch. Colloquial varieties are called neuhochdeutsche Umgangssprache(n) or Regiolekte.

Declension

Declension of Hochdeutsch (language name)

	singular (explanation of the use and meaning of the forms)
	(usually without article)	noun	def.	noun
nominative	(das)	Hochdeutsch	das	Hochdeutsche
genitive	(des)	Hochdeutsch, Hochdeutschs	des	Hochdeutschen
dative	(dem)	Hochdeutsch	dem	Hochdeutschen
accusative	(das)	Hochdeutsch	das	Hochdeutsche

Related terms