das Hochdeutsch
Translation
Standard German, High German
Examples
In der Schule lernen wir Hochdeutsch.
In school, we learn Standard German.
Er spricht klares Hochdeutsch ohne Akzent.
He speaks clear Standard German without an accent.
Grammar Patterns
to speak/learn Standard German ((Hochdeutsch)) Do you speak Standard German? Sprechen Sie Hochdeutsch?
Similar Words
Synonyms: Standarddeutsch, Schriftdeutsch; Antonyms: Dialekt, Mundart
Etymology
From 'hoch' (high) and 'Deutsch' (German). Historically, it refers to the dialects of the higher, southern regions of Germany, which formed the basis for the standard language.
Memory Tips
Think of it as the 'high' or official version of German, used in formal settings, as opposed to local dialects spoken in 'low' lands (Plattdeutsch).