At the A1 level, you don't really need to use 'Kommilitone' yet. You usually learn the word 'Student' (university student) and 'Schüler' (school student). However, it is good to know that if you are in a German class at a university, your classmates are technically your 'Kommilitonen'. Think of it as a special word for 'university friend'. You can remember it by the 'K' which is also in 'Kollege' (colleague). At this level, just focus on the fact that it is a person you study with at a high level. You might hear a teacher say it, but you can stick to 'mein Freund aus dem Kurs' for now. It is a masculine word: 'der Kommilitone'. The feminine is 'die Kommilitonin'. It is a long word, so practice saying it slowly: Kom-mi-li-to-ne. It sounds a bit like 'community' at the beginning, which helps because a university is a community of students. Just remember: school = Mitschüler, university = Kommilitone. This is the most important rule for beginners.
At the A2 level, you start to learn more about the German education system. You know that there is a difference between 'Schule' and 'Universität'. 'Kommilitone' is the word you use when you talk about your life at the university. You might say: 'Mein Kommilitone heißt Max.' You are also learning about plural forms. The plural of 'Kommilitone' is 'Kommilitonen'. Note that it ends in -en. This is part of a group of words called 'N-Deklination'. This means the word gets an 'n' at the end in most situations. For example: 'Ich helfe dem Kommilitonen' (I help the fellow student). Even though it's just one person, you add the 'n' because it is in the dative case. You should also know the feminine form 'Kommilitonin'. If you have a female friend at uni, she is your 'Kommilitonin'. At A2, you should be able to introduce someone using this word: 'Das ist Sarah, meine Kommilitonin.' This sounds much more advanced than just saying 'meine Freundin'.
At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'Kommilitone' correctly in both speech and writing, especially if you are discussing topics like 'Studium' or 'Ausbildung'. You must master the N-declension. This means you should automatically say 'Ich habe mit einem Kommilitonen gesprochen' and not 'mit einem Kommilitone'. You should also understand that this word is formal and specific to higher education. If you use it to describe someone from your high school years, it will sound wrong. At B1, you can use the word to describe social dynamics at university, such as group work or studying together in the library. You should also be aware of synonyms like 'Mitstudent' or 'Studienkollege'. 'Mitstudent' is slightly more casual, while 'Kommilitone' is the standard academic term. You might also start to see the word in texts about university politics or student organizations (Fachschaft). Using this word correctly shows that you have a good grasp of German academic vocabulary and the nuances of the education system.
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'Kommilitone' in complex sentences and academic discussions. You understand the etymological background (Latin 'commilito' - fellow soldier) and how this historical context influences the word's formal tone. You are also aware of the 'Gendering' debate in Germany. In university contexts, you will frequently encounter forms like 'Kommiliton*innen' or 'KommilitonInnen'. You should be able to use these forms in your own writing if you are aiming for a modern, inclusive style. Furthermore, you should distinguish between 'Kommilitone' and 'Kollege'. While a 'Kollege' is someone you work with in a professional, job-related sense, a 'Kommilitone' is strictly academic. If you work at the university as a student assistant (HiWi), you might have 'Kollegen' (the other staff) and 'Kommilitonen' (the people you study with). Sometimes these are the same people, and the choice of word depends on the context of your interaction. You should also be able to use the word in the genitive case: 'Die Notizen meines Kommilitonen sind sehr hilfreich.'
At the C1 level, your use of 'Kommilitone' should be flawless. You recognize the stylistic nuances it brings to a text. It carries a certain 'Bildungssprache' (educated language) quality. You can use it to discuss the history of German universities or the social structure of student life. You are also familiar with related terms like 'Kommilitonenschaft', which refers to the entire body of students at a university. In your writing, you can use 'Kommilitone' to create a formal, academic tone. You also understand the subtle difference between 'Kommilitone' and 'Mitstreiter'. While 'Kommilitone' is neutral, 'Mitstreiter' implies a shared struggle or a common goal, often used in the context of student activism or very difficult degree programs. You should be able to navigate the complex declensions in fast-paced academic debates without hesitation. You also understand that in some very traditional contexts, a professor might address their students as 'Liebe Kommilitonen', placing themselves on the same level of academic inquiry as the students, which is a significant rhetorical gesture.
At the C2 level, you have a near-native understanding of the term 'Kommilitone'. you are aware of its sociolinguistic implications and its role in the 'Habitus' of university students. You can discuss the word's Latin roots and how its continued use reflects the persistence of certain Humboldtian ideals in the German university system. You are also sensitive to how the word is being replaced or supplemented by more modern terms like 'Studierende' in official documents to avoid gender bias. You can analyze the use of the word in literature, such as in the works of Thomas Mann or in modern 'Campus-Romanen', where the relationship between 'Kommilitonen' often mirrors larger social tensions. You understand that the word creates a specific 'In-Group' feeling. In a professional academic setting, your choice to use 'Kommilitone' versus 'Kollege' when referring to a peer from your doctoral days can signal different levels of intimacy or professional distance. Your mastery includes the ability to use the word in high-level irony or within specialized academic metaphors.

Kommilitone 30초 만에

  • Kommilitone means a fellow student specifically at the university or college level, never for primary or secondary school students.
  • It is a masculine noun following the N-declension, requiring an -n ending in the accusative, dative, and genitive singular cases.
  • The feminine equivalent is Kommilitonin, and the plural for a mixed or male group is Kommilitonen, while females are Kommilitoninnen.
  • It originates from the Latin word for 'fellow soldier,' emphasizing a shared academic journey and professional peer relationship.

The German noun Kommilitone is a specialized term that translates most directly to 'fellow student' or 'classmate,' but with a very specific constraint: it is exclusively used within the context of higher education, such as universities (Universitäten) or technical colleges (Fachhochschulen). If you are studying for a degree, the people sitting next to you in the lecture hall are your Kommilitonen. This word is deeply embedded in the German academic tradition and carries a sense of shared intellectual struggle and camaraderie. Unlike the English word 'classmate,' which can describe a child in kindergarten or a teenager in high school, using Kommilitone for anyone below the university level would be considered a significant linguistic error in German. For primary or secondary school students, the correct term is Mitschüler.

Academic Peerage
The term establishes a horizontal relationship between students. It suggests that you are both part of the same academic cohort, regardless of whether you are close friends or complete strangers. It is the standard way to refer to someone you study with when speaking to professors or in official university correspondence.
Gender and Plurality
The word follows the N-declension rules for masculine nouns. A male fellow student is a Kommilitone, while a female fellow student is a Kommilitonin. In the plural, it becomes Kommilitonen. In modern university settings, you will often see gender-neutral forms like Kommiliton*innen or the more general Studierende.

"Ich habe mich gestern mit einem Kommilitonen in der Bibliothek getroffen, um für die Prüfung in Makroökonomie zu büffeln."

— A typical sentence describing a study session.

The etymology of the word is fascinating and sheds light on its weight. It derives from the Latin commilito, which means 'fellow soldier' (from com- 'together' and miles 'soldier'). This historical root suggests that students were once viewed as soldiers in the army of knowledge, fighting against ignorance. While the martial connotation has faded, the sense of being 'in the same boat' remains. When a professor addresses the room as 'Liebe Kommilitonen,' it traditionally included the professor themselves as a 'fellow student' of the discipline, though this usage is now quite archaic and professors usually say 'Liebe Studierende' or 'Liebe Studentinnen und Studenten.'

"Einige meiner Kommilitonen organisieren eine Demonstration gegen die Erhöhung der Semesterbeiträge."

Social Context
In the Mensa (cafeteria) or during a WG-Party (apartment party), you might refer to someone as a 'Kommilitone' to explain how you know them to a third party. 'Das ist Lukas, ein Kommilitone von mir.' This immediately clarifies that you study the same subject or attend the same university.

In summary, Kommilitone is a prestige-bearing word that marks the transition from basic schooling to the world of higher academia. It is a word of the 'Bildungsbürgertum' (educated middle class) but remains the standard, everyday term for millions of students across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Its use signals that you understand the structure of the German education system and the specific terminology associated with university life.

Using Kommilitone correctly requires attention to two main factors: the university context and the N-declension. Because it is a masculine noun ending in -e, it adds an -n in every case except the nominative singular. This is a common stumbling block for learners. For example, 'I see the fellow student' is 'Ich sehe den Kommilitonen.' This extra 'n' is mandatory in the accusative, dative, and genitive cases.

The N-Declension Rule
Nominativ: der Kommilitone / Genitiv: des Kommilitonen / Dativ: dem Kommilitonen / Akkusativ: den Kommilitonen. Note that the plural is also 'die Kommilitonen' across all cases (with 'den Kommilitonen' in dative plural).

"Ich habe den Kommilitonen nach den Unterlagen für das Seminar gefragt."

— Here, the word is in the accusative case, hence the extra 'n'.

When referring to women, the word becomes Kommilitonin. This form is a regular feminine noun and does not follow the N-declension. Its plural is Kommilitoninnen. In a group of mixed genders, the traditional plural was Kommilitonen (generic masculine), but modern usage often prefers Kommilitoninnen und Kommilitonen or the gender-star Kommiliton*innen to be inclusive.

Common sentence structures involve possessive pronouns. You will rarely say 'the fellow student' in a vacuum; instead, you will say 'my fellow student' (mein Kommilitone) or 'a fellow student of mine' (ein Kommilitone von mir). This establishes the relationship clearly. It is also common to see the word used in the context of group work: 'Wir haben uns mit unseren Kommilitonen für das Gruppenprojekt zusammengesetzt.'

"Die Kommilitonin aus dem ersten Semester hat die beste Note in der Klausur geschrieben."

Common Verbs Used With It
Helfen (to help), fragen (to ask), kennenlernen (to get to know), zusammenarbeiten (to work together), diskutieren (to discuss). Example: 'Ich diskutiere oft mit meinen Kommilitonen über philosophische Themen.'

Finally, remember that 'Kommilitone' is a noun. In English, we often use 'student' as an adjective (e.g., student discounts), but in German, you would use 'Studenten-' or 'Studierenden-'. 'Kommilitone' specifically refers to the person. You wouldn't say 'Kommilitonen-Rabatt'; you would say 'Studentenrabatt'. The word is strictly for the person you share your academic life with.

The primary habitat of the word Kommilitone is the university campus. You will hear it in various settings, ranging from formal lectures to informal coffee breaks. It is the 'professional' way for students to refer to each other. When a professor starts a lecture, they might say, 'Guten Morgen, liebe Kommilitoninnen und Kommilitonen,' though this is becoming slightly old-fashioned in favor of 'Liebe Studierende.'

In the Lecture Hall (Hörsaal)
Students use it to identify people in their courses. 'Hast du den Kommilitonen gesehen, der immer in der ersten Reihe sitzt?' It functions as a way to categorize people who are part of your academic environment but whose names you might not yet know.
Administrative Contexts
If you go to the 'Prüfungsamt' (examination office) or the 'Studierendensekretariat', the staff might use the term. 'Bitte besprechen Sie das mit Ihren Kommilitonen.' It sounds formal and bureaucratic, reinforcing the official status of being a student.

"In der Mensa hörte ich, wie zwei Kommilitonen über die schwierige Prüfung in Anatomie klagten."

Outside the campus, the word is used when explaining your social circle to others. If your parents ask who was at your party, you might say, 'Das waren meistens Kommilitonen aus meinem Studiengang.' It provides an instant frame of reference. It also appears frequently in literature, news reports about universities, and academic novels (the 'Campus-Roman' genre). In these contexts, it emphasizes the intellectual atmosphere.

"Die Fachschaft besteht aus engagierten Kommilitonen, die sich für die Rechte der Studenten einsetzen."

In the digital age, you will see it in WhatsApp groups for specific courses ('Hey Kommilitonen, hat jemand die Mitschrift von heute?') and on platforms like Moodle or Stud.IP. It acts as a collective noun for the community. Even after graduation, when attending an alumni meeting, you might refer to people as 'ehemalige Kommilitonen' (former fellow students), highlighting the lifelong bond formed during the years of study.

The most pervasive mistake English speakers make with Kommilitone is using it too broadly. In English, 'classmate' is a catch-all term. In German, 'Kommilitone' is a high-level academic term. Using it to describe a friend from your evening pottery class or your 10-year-old's school friend will sound bizarre and slightly humorous to native speakers. Always remember: No university degree involved? No Kommilitone.

Mistake 1: The School Context
Wrong: 'Mein Sohn spielt mit seinem Kommilitonen.' (Unless your son is 20 and at university). Correct: 'Mein Sohn spielt mit seinem Mitschüler' or 'Schulfreund'.
Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Kollege'
A 'Kollege' is a coworker at a job. While you can say 'Studienkollege' (see synonyms), using 'Kollege' alone for a fellow student is very informal or sounds like you work together in a professional office. Conversely, calling a coworker a 'Kommilitone' is incorrect unless you are also studying together.

"Falsch: Ich habe meinen Kommilitone gesehen. Richtig: Ich habe meinen Kommilitonen gesehen."

— The missing 'n' in the accusative case is a very common B1 error.

Another frequent error is the gendered forms. Because the word ends in -e, some learners assume the feminine is also -e or -en. However, the feminine is strictly Kommilitonin. If you are talking about a female student, you must use this form. 'Meine Kommilitonin hat mir geholfen.' Using 'Mein Kommilitone' for a woman is grammatically incorrect in German, unlike the gender-neutral 'classmate' in English.

"Falsch: Wir sind Kommilitonen in der Grundschule. Richtig: Wir sind Mitschüler in der Grundschule."

Finally, watch out for the plural. The plural is Kommilitonen. Learners sometimes try to say 'Kommilitones' or 'Kommilitoner', following other plural patterns. Stick to the -en ending for all plural cases and most singular cases (except nominative). Mastery of this word's declension is a sign of a strong B1/B2 level speaker.

While Kommilitone is the most precise term, there are several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific relationship you have with the person. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker.

Mitstudent / Mitstudentin
This is a very common alternative. It is slightly less formal than 'Kommilitone' and literally means 'with-student'. It is often used in casual conversation. 'Ein Mitstudent hat mir den Link geschickt.'
Studienkollege / Studienkollegin
This term is very popular in Austria and Southern Germany. It combines 'Studium' (studies) and 'Kollege' (colleague). It sounds professional and friendly. It is often used to describe someone you share a specific major with.
Mitschüler / Mitschülerin
As mentioned before, this is the term for school-level classmates. It is the 'false friend' to watch out for. Never use it at university.

"Vergleich: 'Mein Kommilitone' (Formal/Uni) vs. 'Mein Studienkollege' (Professional/Regional) vs. 'Ein Mitstudent' (Casual)."

If you are working on a specific project, you might use Projektpartner. If you are in a specific course, Kurskollege is appropriate. For someone you just know from a seminar, you might say Seminarteilnehmer (seminar participant), although this is quite detached. If the relationship is closer, you would simply use Freund (friend) or Bekannter (acquaintance).

"Ein Mitstreiter im Kampf um bessere Noten."

— A humorous, slightly dramatic alternative meaning 'fellow campaigner'.

In summary, while 'Kommilitone' is the king of university terms, don't be afraid to use 'Mitstudent' in casual settings. Just ensure you never cross the line back into 'Mitschüler' territory once you've entered the halls of higher learning. The distinction is a vital part of the German social hierarchy regarding education.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

In the past, professors also used the term to address their students, implying that both were 'fellow soldiers' in the pursuit of truth and science.

발음 가이드

UK /kɔmiliˈtoːnə/
US /ˌkɑmɪliˈtoʊnə/
The stress is on the fourth syllable: Kom-mi-li-TO-ne.
라임이 맞는 단어
Zone Bohne Krone Ikone Kanone Matrone Patrone Zitrone
자주 하는 실수
  • Pronouncing it like 'community' (English influence).
  • Dropping the final 'e'.
  • Stressing the first syllable.
  • Forgetting the 'n' in the N-declension cases.
  • Confusing the 'i' and 'e' sounds.

난이도

독해 3/5

Easy to recognize in texts, but requires knowledge of academic vocabulary.

쓰기 6/5

Difficult due to the N-declension endings which are often forgotten.

말하기 5/5

Long word with specific stress, plus the need to choose between masculine and feminine forms.

듣기 4/5

Can be confused with 'Kollege' or 'Komplize' if not heard clearly.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

Student Universität lernen Freund Schule

다음에 배울 것

Dozent Vorlesung Seminar Immatrikulation Studiengang

고급

Kommilitonenschaft Alumni Habilitand Gasthörer Stipendiat

알아야 할 문법

N-Declension

Der Kommilitone (Nom) -> Den Kommilitonen (Acc).

Feminine Suffix -in

Kommilitone -> Kommilitonin.

Genitive with Masculine N-Nouns

Das Buch des Kommilitonen.

Plural Formation -en

Die Kommilitonen.

Adjective Endings with N-Declension

Ein netter Kommilitone vs. Mit einem netten Kommilitonen.

수준별 예문

1

Mein Kommilitone heißt Peter.

My fellow student is named Peter.

Nominative singular: der Kommilitone.

2

Das ist meine Kommilitonin.

That is my (female) fellow student.

Feminine form: die Kommilitonin.

3

Wir sind Kommilitonen.

We are fellow students.

Plural form: die Kommilitonen.

4

Ein Kommilitone hilft mir.

A fellow student is helping me.

Indefinite article: ein Kommilitone.

5

Wo ist dein Kommilitone?

Where is your fellow student?

Possessive pronoun: dein.

6

Meine Kommilitonin lernt viel.

My fellow student (f) studies a lot.

Subject of the sentence.

7

Peter ist ein netter Kommilitone.

Peter is a nice fellow student.

Adjective ending with 'ein'.

8

Hast du eine Kommilitonin?

Do you have a (female) fellow student?

Accusative feminine.

1

Ich spreche mit einem Kommilitonen.

I am speaking with a fellow student.

Dative case: 'mit' + 'einem Kommilitonen' (N-declension).

2

Sie sucht ihren Kommilitonen.

She is looking for her fellow student.

Accusative case: 'ihren Kommilitonen' (N-declension).

3

Wir treffen unsere Kommilitonen in der Mensa.

We meet our fellow students in the cafeteria.

Plural accusative.

4

Ist das die Tasche deiner Kommilitonin?

Is that the bag of your (female) fellow student?

Genitive feminine.

5

Ich gebe dem Kommilitonen das Buch.

I give the book to the fellow student.

Dative masculine (N-declension).

6

Kennst du diesen Kommilitonen?

Do you know this fellow student?

Accusative masculine.

7

Zwei Kommilitonen kommen aus Berlin.

Two fellow students come from Berlin.

Plural subject.

8

Meine Kommilitonin wohnt in einer WG.

My fellow student (f) lives in a shared apartment.

Feminine singular.

1

Ich habe die Notizen von meinem Kommilitonen geliehen.

I borrowed the notes from my fellow student.

Dative after 'von'.

2

Viele meiner Kommilitonen arbeiten neben dem Studium.

Many of my fellow students work alongside their studies.

Genitive plural.

3

Ich muss mich mit meiner Kommilitonin für das Referat abstimmen.

I have to coordinate with my (female) fellow student for the presentation.

Reflexive verb + prepositional object.

4

Einige Kommilitonen haben die Prüfung nicht bestanden.

Some fellow students did not pass the exam.

Plural indefinite.

5

Er hat sich über seinen Kommilitonen geärgert.

He was annoyed with his fellow student.

Accusative with 'über'.

6

Wir haben einen neuen Kommilitonen in unserem Kurs.

We have a new fellow student in our course.

Accusative singular + adjective.

7

Die Kommilitonin hat eine Frage an den Professor gestellt.

The (female) fellow student asked the professor a question.

Subject.

8

Dank meiner Kommilitonen habe ich den Stoff verstanden.

Thanks to my fellow students, I understood the material.

Genitive plural after 'dank'.

1

Es ist wichtig, ein gutes Netzwerk unter den Kommilitonen aufzubauen.

It is important to build a good network among fellow students.

Dative plural after 'unter'.

2

Der Professor begrüßte alle anwesenden Kommilitonen.

The professor greeted all fellow students present.

Accusative plural.

3

Trotz der Konkurrenz unterstützen sich die Kommilitonen gegenseitig.

Despite the competition, the fellow students support each other.

Plural with reflexive pronoun.

4

Die Meinung meiner Kommilitonin ist mir sehr wichtig.

The opinion of my (female) fellow student is very important to me.

Genitive feminine.

5

Ich habe den Kommilitonen gebeten, mir beim Umzug zu helfen.

I asked the fellow student to help me with the move.

Accusative object of 'bitten'.

6

In der Pause diskutierten die Kommilitonen über die Vorlesung.

During the break, the fellow students discussed the lecture.

Plural subject.

7

Einige Kommilitonen engagieren sich in der Studierendenvertretung.

Some fellow students are active in the student union.

Plural indefinite.

8

Ich schätze die Zusammenarbeit mit meinen Kommilitonen sehr.

I highly value the collaboration with my fellow students.

Dative plural.

1

Die Solidarität unter den Kommilitonen war während des Streiks spürbar.

The solidarity among fellow students was palpable during the strike.

Abstract noun + prepositional phrase.

2

Er pflegt noch immer Kontakt zu seinen ehemaligen Kommilitonen.

He still maintains contact with his former fellow students.

Dative plural with adjective.

3

Die Leistungen der Kommilitonen variieren je nach Fachbereich stark.

The achievements of fellow students vary greatly depending on the department.

Genitive plural.

4

Sie wurde von ihren Kommilitonen zur Semestersprecherin gewählt.

She was elected as semester representative by her fellow students.

Passive voice with 'von' + dative plural.

5

Die hitzige Debatte zwischen den Kommilitonen dauerte bis spät in die Nacht.

The heated debate between the fellow students lasted until late at night.

Dative plural after 'zwischen'.

6

Man sollte seine Kommilitonen nicht nur als Konkurrenten betrachten.

One should not view one's fellow students only as competitors.

Accusative plural.

7

Die Kommilitonin zeichnete sich durch ihr außergewöhnliches Engagement aus.

The (female) fellow student stood out due to her extraordinary commitment.

Subject + reflexive verb.

8

Inmitten seiner Kommilitonen fühlte er sich endlich verstanden.

In the midst of his fellow students, he finally felt understood.

Genitive plural after 'inmitten'.

1

Die Diskrepanz zwischen den Erwartungen der Professoren und der Realität der Kommilitonen ist oft eklatant.

The discrepancy between the expectations of the professors and the reality of the fellow students is often glaring.

Complex genitive structure.

2

Es bedarf einer gewissen Empathie, um die Sorgen der Kommilitonen nachvollziehen zu können.

It requires a certain empathy to be able to understand the concerns of fellow students.

Genitive plural.

3

Die akademische Freiheit wird oft erst im Diskurs mit den Kommilitonen lebendig.

Academic freedom often only comes alive in discourse with fellow students.

Dative plural.

4

Trotz ihrer intellektuellen Brillanz blieb die Kommilitonin stets bescheiden.

Despite her intellectual brilliance, the (female) fellow student always remained humble.

Feminine subject.

5

Die Vernetzung der Kommilitonen über digitale Plattformen hat das Lernverhalten grundlegend transformiert.

The networking of fellow students via digital platforms has fundamentally transformed learning behavior.

Genitive plural.

6

Einige Kommilitonen lehnen die zunehmende Ökonomisierung des Studiums entschieden ab.

Some fellow students decidedly reject the increasing economization of studies.

Plural subject.

7

Die gegenseitige Befruchtung der Ideen unter den Kommilitonen ist der Kern universitärer Bildung.

The mutual cross-pollination of ideas among fellow students is the core of university education.

Genitive plural.

8

Er reüssierte nicht zuletzt wegen der tatkräftigen Unterstützung seiner Kommilitonen.

He succeeded not least because of the active support of his fellow students.

Genitive plural after 'wegen'.

동의어

Mitstudent Studienkollege Kurskollege Studienfreund Mitstreiter Seminarteilnehmer Studierender Hörer

반의어

Dozent Professor Mitschüler Autodidakt

자주 쓰는 조합

ehemaliger Kommilitone
enger Kommilitone
fleißiger Kommilitone
mit Kommilitonen lernen
Kommilitonen aus dem ersten Semester
Hilfe von Kommilitonen
Diskurs unter Kommilitonen
Kommilitonen kennenlernen
Notizen mit Kommilitonen teilen
Streit unter Kommilitonen

자주 쓰는 구문

Ein Kommilitone von mir

— A fellow student of mine. Standard way to introduce someone.

Darf ich vorstellen? Das ist ein Kommilitone von mir.

Liebe Kommilitoninnen und Kommilitonen

— Dear fellow students. Formal greeting in speeches or emails.

Liebe Kommilitoninnen und Kommilitonen, willkommen zum neuen Semester.

Unter Kommilitonen sein

— To be among peers. Describes the social atmosphere at uni.

Es ist schön, endlich wieder unter Kommilitonen zu sein.

Ehemalige Kommilitonen

— Former fellow students. Used after graduation.

Wir treffen uns jedes Jahr mit unseren ehemaligen Kommilitonen.

Meine lieben Kommilitonen

— My dear fellow students. Slightly more personal but still formal.

Meine lieben Kommilitonen, wir müssen zusammenhalten.

Kommilitonen aus dem gleichen Studiengang

— Fellow students from the same major.

Ich suche Kommilitonen aus dem gleichen Studiengang für eine Lerngruppe.

Sich mit Kommilitonen austauschen

— To exchange ideas/information with fellow students.

Es ist wichtig, sich regelmäßig mit Kommilitonen auszutauschen.

Kommilitonen um Rat fragen

— To ask fellow students for advice.

Wenn ich etwas nicht verstehe, frage ich meine Kommilitonen um Rat.

Zusammen mit Kommilitonen

— Together with fellow students.

Ich wohne zusammen mit zwei Kommilitonen in einer WG.

Die neuen Kommilitonen

— The new fellow students (freshmen).

Die neuen Kommilitonen wirken alle sehr motiviert.

자주 혼동되는 단어

Kommilitone vs Mitschüler

Used for school students (K-12). 'Kommilitone' is only for university.

Kommilitone vs Kollege

Used for coworkers. A 'Kommilitone' is a peer in studies, not necessarily at work.

Kommilitone vs Komplize

Means 'accomplice' in a crime. Sounds slightly similar but totally different meaning.

관용어 및 표현

"In einem Boot sitzen"

— To be in the same boat. Often used when students face a hard exam together.

Wir sitzen alle im selben Boot, liebe Kommilitonen.

informal
"Gemeinsam durch dick und dünn gehen"

— To go through thick and thin together. Used for long-term study buddies.

Mit meinen Kommilitonen bin ich durch dick und dünn gegangen.

informal
"Den Gürtel enger schnallen"

— To tighten the belt. Often said during student times when money is tight.

Als Kommilitonen mussten wir oft den Gürtel enger schnallen.

neutral
"Auf Augenhöhe kommunizieren"

— To communicate at eye level. Describes the peer relationship.

Unter Kommilitonen kommuniziert man auf Augenhöhe.

formal
"Vitamin B haben"

— To have 'B' (Beziehungen/Connections). Using your network of Kommilitonen for jobs.

Dank meiner Kommilitonen habe ich gutes Vitamin B.

informal
"Über den Tellerrand schauen"

— To look beyond one's plate (think outside the box). Discussing with Kommilitonen from other majors.

Kommilitonen helfen einem, über den Tellerrand zu schauen.

neutral
"Ein offenes Ohr haben"

— To have an open ear. Supporting a peer.

Meine Kommilitonin hat immer ein offenes Ohr für mich.

neutral
"Hand in Hand arbeiten"

— To work hand in hand. Good group collaboration.

Wir haben als Kommilitonen Hand in Hand gearbeitet.

neutral
"Nägel mit Köpfen machen"

— To do things properly. Deciding on a study plan with peers.

Kommt, liebe Kommilitonen, wir machen jetzt Nägel mit Köpfen.

informal
"Den Kopf in den Sand stecken"

— To bury one's head in the sand. Not studying for exams.

Meine Kommilitonen stecken den Kopf nicht in den Sand.

informal

혼동하기 쉬운

Kommilitone vs Student

Both refer to university students.

Student is the general status; Kommilitone is the relationship to you as a peer.

Er ist Student (status). Er ist mein Kommilitone (relationship).

Kommilitone vs Schüler

Both mean student.

Schüler is for school; Student/Kommilitone is for university.

Der Schüler geht in die 3. Klasse.

Kommilitone vs Mitglied

Both can mean a member of a group.

Kommilitone is specifically for the student group.

Er ist Mitglied im Sportverein, aber mein Kommilitone an der Uni.

Kommilitone vs Genosse

Both mean comrade/fellow.

Genosse is political (comrade); Kommilitone is academic.

Die Genossen der SPD; die Kommilitonen der Uni.

Kommilitone vs Partner

Both imply working together.

Partner is general; Kommilitone is academic peer.

Er ist mein Geschäftspartner und mein ehemaliger Kommilitone.

문장 패턴

A2

Mein Kommilitone ist [Adjektiv].

Mein Kommilitone ist schlau.

A2

Ich lerne mit [Dativ].

Ich lerne mit einem Kommilitonen.

B1

Ich habe [Akkusativ] gefragt.

Ich habe den Kommilitonen gefragt.

B1

Das ist das Buch [Genitiv].

Das ist das Buch meiner Kommilitonin.

B2

Wegen [Genitiv] bin ich spät.

Wegen eines Kommilitonen bin ich spät.

B2

Unter [Dativ Plural] sagt man...

Unter Kommilitonen sagt man das so.

C1

Anstatt [Genitiv] zu helfen...

Anstatt dem Kommilitonen zu helfen, ging er nach Hause.

C2

Inmitten der [Genitiv Plural]...

Inmitten der Kommilitonen fühlte sie sich wohl.

어휘 가족

명사

Kommilitone (m)
Kommilitonin (f)
Kommilitonenschaft (f - the student body)

관련

Student
Studium
Universität
Vorlesung
Mitschüler

사용법

frequency

Very high in university environments; zero in non-academic environments.

자주 하는 실수
  • Ich spreche mit meinem Kommilitone. Ich spreche mit meinem Kommilitonen.

    This is a classic N-declension error. Masculine nouns ending in -e need an -n in the dative case.

  • Er ist mein Mitschüler an der Universität. Er ist mein Kommilitone an der Universität.

    Mitschüler is for school; Kommilitone is for university. Using the wrong one shows a lack of understanding of the education system.

  • Meine Kommilitone heißt Anna. Meine Kommilitonin heißt Anna.

    You must use the feminine form 'Kommilitonin' for female students.

  • Die Kommilitones sind nett. Die Kommilitonen sind nett.

    The plural of Kommilitone is Kommilitonen, not 'Kommilitones' (which follows English rules).

  • Ich habe einen Kommilitone gesehen. Ich habe einen Kommilitonen gesehen.

    Accusative masculine singular requires the -n ending due to N-declension.

Master the N-Declension

Always remember that masculine nouns ending in -e like 'Kommilitone' take an -n in all cases except nominative singular. Practice saying 'mit dem Kommilitonen' until it feels natural.

University Only

Strictly reserve this word for higher education. Using it for your cousin in 5th grade will make native speakers smile because it sounds so overly formal and out of place.

Use the Feminine Form

Don't forget 'Kommilitonin'. German is very specific about gendered nouns. If you're talking about Sarah, she's your 'Kommilitonin', not your 'Kommilitone'.

Synonym Choice

Use 'Mitstudent' if you want to sound a bit more casual and 'Kommilitone' if you want to sound more like a serious academic student.

Stress the 'O'

The stress is on the 'o' (Kom-mi-li-TO-ne). If you stress the beginning, it sounds like an English word and might be harder to understand.

Networking

The phrase 'ein Kommilitone von mir' is the perfect way to introduce someone at a party when you want to explain that you know them from university.

Plural Inclusivity

In modern academic writing, using 'Kommiliton*innen' or 'KommilitonInnen' shows that you are aware of current linguistic trends in Germany.

Catch the 'N'

In spoken German, the final -n of 'Kommilitonen' can be very soft. Listen to the article (den, dem, einem) to help you figure out the case.

Peer Support

Understand that 'Kommilitone' implies a level of solidarity. It's common to ask 'Kommilitonen' for help with bureaucratic university issues.

Soldiers of Knowledge

Remember the 'fellow soldier' origin to help you remember the word is about a shared struggle (studying for exams!).

암기하기

기억법

Think of 'Comm-Unity-Lone'. A 'Kommilitone' is someone from your university community who is never 'alone' because you study together.

시각적 연상

Imagine a group of students wearing medieval armor (soldiers) but carrying textbooks instead of swords in a modern lecture hall.

Word Web

University Classmate Latin N-Declension Lecture Study Group Mensa Exams

챌린지

Try to use 'Kommilitone' in three different cases (Nominative, Accusative, Dative) in a short paragraph about your dream university.

어원

Derived from the Latin word 'commilito', which is composed of 'com-' (together) and 'milito' (soldier). It was introduced into German academic language in the 17th century.

원래 의미: Fellow soldier / Brother-in-arms.

Indo-European (via Latin to German).

문화적 맥락

Be aware of gender-inclusive language. Use 'Kommilitoninnen und Kommilitonen' or 'Studierende' in formal or diverse settings.

In English, 'classmate' is used for all ages. In German, 'Kommilitone' is strictly for university. This distinction is crucial for natural-sounding German.

The 'Kommilitonen' in Thomas Mann's 'Doktor Faustus'. Student protest songs often address 'Kommilitonen'. University statutes and historical charters.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Library

  • Ruhe bitte, Kommilitonen!
  • Hast du diesen Kommilitonen schon mal gesehen?
  • Ich warte auf eine Kommilitonin.
  • Kommilitonen helfen sich beim Suchen.

Cafeteria (Mensa)

  • Ist hier noch frei für meine Kommilitonen?
  • Was essen die Kommilitonen heute?
  • Ein Kommilitone bezahlt für mich.
  • Diskussionen mit Kommilitonen beim Essen.

Group Project

  • Wir sind vier Kommilitonen in der Gruppe.
  • Meine Kommilitonin macht das Design.
  • Ein Kommilitone hat die Daten vergessen.
  • Wir treffen uns mit den Kommilitonen um 10.

Graduation

  • Alles Gute, liebe Kommilitonen!
  • Wir bleiben Kommilitonen fürs Leben.
  • Ein Foto mit allen Kommilitonen.
  • Abschied von den Kommilitonen.

Online Forum

  • Hallo Kommilitonen, wer hat die Lösung?
  • Suche Kommilitonen für Lerngruppe.
  • Frage an die erfahrenen Kommilitonen.
  • Tipps von Kommilitonen für die Prüfung.

대화 시작하기

"Bist du ein Kommilitone aus dem BWL-Studiengang?"

"Hast du Lust, mit ein paar anderen Kommilitonen heute Abend etwas trinken zu gehen?"

"Wie findest du die Vorlesung? Viele meiner Kommilitonen finden sie zu schwer."

"Kennst du eine gute Kommilitonin, die mir bei Statistik helfen kann?"

"Waren deine Kommilitonen auch so überrascht von den Prüfungsergebnissen?"

일기 주제

Beschreibe deinen ersten Tag an der Universität und die ersten Kommilitonen, die du kennengelernt hast.

Wie wichtig ist die Unterstützung durch deine Kommilitonen für deinen Studienerfolg?

Gab es jemals einen Konflikt mit einem Kommilitonen? Wie hast du ihn gelöst?

Was unterscheidet einen Kommilitonen von einem normalen Freund für dich?

Stell dir vor, du hältst eine Rede vor deinen Kommilitonen bei der Abschlussfeier. Was würdest du sagen?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, 'Kommilitone' is masculine. For a female student, you must use 'Kommilitonin'. Using the masculine for a woman is considered a grammatical error in German.

Absolutely not. In high school, you use 'Mitschüler'. 'Kommilitone' is reserved exclusively for university or college students.

The plural is 'Kommilitonen'. This applies to a group of men or a mixed group of men and women.

Yes, they are synonyms. 'Mitstudent' is slightly more informal and literally means 'with-student', while 'Kommilitone' is the more traditional academic term.

Yes. Since 'Kommilitone' follows the N-declension, it becomes 'dem Kommilitonen' in the dative singular.

It means 'former fellow student'. You use this to refer to someone you studied with in the past, after you have both graduated.

It is neutral to formal. It is the standard way to refer to peers in a professional academic setting.

You can use 'Liebe Kommilitoninnen und Kommilitonen' or 'Hallo zusammen' for something more casual. In official contexts, 'Liebe Studierende' is common.

Historically, yes, in the sense of being a 'fellow student of science'. However, in modern German, it is almost exclusively used for student peers.

It comes from the Latin 'commilito', meaning 'fellow soldier'. This reflects the idea of students being comrades in their academic pursuits.

셀프 테스트 190 질문

writing

Write a sentence using 'Kommilitone' in the nominative case.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using 'Kommilitonin' in the dative case.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using 'Kommilitonen' (plural) in the accusative case.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a short email greeting to your fellow students.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Explain the difference between a 'Mitschüler' and a 'Kommilitone' in German.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence about studying with a fellow student.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Use 'ehemaliger Kommilitone' in a sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Describe a helpful fellow student using an adjective.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence in the genitive case using 'Kommilitonen'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Create a sentence about a group project with fellow students.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Ask a fellow student if they have time for coffee.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using 'Kommilitonenschaft'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Describe your fellow students in one sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Use the word 'Mitstudent' as an alternative in a sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence about a female fellow student from Spain.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using 'wegen' and 'Kommilitone'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Use 'Kommilitonen' in the dative plural.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Describe a funny situation with a fellow student.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence about meeting fellow students after a long time.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Use 'Kommilitonin' in a sentence about a presentation.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Stelle dich einem neuen Kommilitonen vor.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Frage eine Kommilitonin nach ihren Notizen.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Erzähle einem Freund von einem netten Kommilitonen.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Begrüße deine Kommilitonen zu einer Präsentation.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Frage in der Mensa, ob du dich zu deinen Kommilitonen setzen darfst.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Diskutiere mit einem Kommilitonen über eine Hausarbeit.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Bedanke dich bei einem Kommilitonen für seine Hilfe.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Frage einen Kommilitonen, ob er mit dir in die Bibliothek geht.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Erzähle von einem Problem mit einem Kommilitonen.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Schlage deinen Kommilitonen eine Lerngruppe vor.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Frage eine Kommilitonin nach ihrer Meinung zum Professor.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Verabschiede dich von deinen Kommilitonen nach der Vorlesung.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Erkläre jemandem, was ein Kommilitone ist.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Frage einen Kommilitonen nach dem Datum der nächsten Prüfung.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Erzähle von einem Treffen mit ehemaligen Kommilitonen.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Schlage vor, nach der Uni mit Kommilitonen ein Bier zu trinken.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Frage nach einem fehlenden Kommilitonen.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Lobe die Arbeit einer Kommilitonin.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Frage einen Kommilitonen nach einem Buchtipp.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Spreche über die Bedeutung von Kommilitonen im Studium.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'Ich habe heute meinen Kommilitonen in der Stadt gesehen.' Question: Wen hat die Person gesehen?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'Meine Kommilitonin hat mir erzählt, dass die Prüfung verschoben wurde.' Question: Was ist mit der Prüfung passiert?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'Wir treffen uns um 15 Uhr mit den anderen Kommilitonen vor dem Audimax.' Question: Wann und wo treffen sie sich?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'Ein Kommilitone von mir hat ein Stipendium bekommen.' Question: Was hat der Kommilitone bekommen?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'Die Hilfe meiner Kommilitonen war für mich sehr wichtig.' Question: Was war wichtig für die Person?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'Ich muss noch meinen Kommilitonen anrufen, um das Projekt zu besprechen.' Question: Warum muss die Person anrufen?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'Einer meiner Kommilitonen kommt ursprünglich aus Japan.' Question: Woher kommt der Kommilitone?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'In der Vorlesung saß ein neuer Kommilitone neben mir.' Question: Wer saß neben der Person?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'Ich habe die Notizen von meiner Kommilitonin kopiert.' Question: Was hat die Person gemacht?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'Wir haben heute im Seminar viel mit unseren Kommilitonen diskutiert.' Question: Wo haben sie diskutiert?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'Mein Kommilitone hat seinen Laptop in der Bibliothek vergessen.' Question: Was hat der Kommilitone vergessen?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'Die Kommilitonen organisieren einen Flohmarkt auf dem Campus.' Question: Was organisieren sie?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'Ich kenne diesen Kommilitonen schon seit dem ersten Semester.' Question: Seit wann kennt die Person den Kommilitonen?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'Meine Kommilitonin hat ein tolles Thema für ihre Masterarbeit gefunden.' Question: Was hat sie gefunden?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Audio: 'Unter den Kommilitonen gab es viel Applaus für den Vortrag.' Question: Was gab es für den Vortrag?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

/ 190 correct

Perfect score!

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