der Knecht
Translation
farmhand, servant, vassal, squire
Examples
Der Knecht arbeitete hart auf dem Feld.
The farmhand worked hard in the field.
Der Ritter hatte einen treuen Knecht.
The knight had a loyal servant.
Grammar Patterns
der Knecht ((as subject)) the farmhand/servant Der Knecht arbeitet auf dem Feld.
((sb.)) as a Knecht to have sb. as a servant Der Gutsherr hatte viele Knechte.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Diener (servant), Gehilfe (helper), Leibeigener (serf); Antonyms: Herr (master), Meister (master)
Etymology
From Old High German 'kneht' (boy, youth, servant). Cognate with English 'knight', though the meanings diverged.
Memory Tips
Think of the English word 'knight'. Both words come from the same root, but 'Knecht' retained the meaning of 'servant' while 'knight' evolved to mean a noble warrior.