German · People & Family

"People" in German: Leute

die Leute

Say it: LOY-tuhfeminine plural · die Leutenoun/ˈlɔʏ̯tə/

People in German is often die Leute. Die Menschen is a bit more general or formal. Say Viele Leute for lots of people.

Busy market

Heute sind viele Leute unterwegs.
Lots of people are out today.
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How to pronounce Leute

Say it

LOY-tuh

/ˈlɔʏ̯tə/

LOY-tuh. Eu like oy. Plural-only in this sense: die Leute.

"People" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
die Leutepeople

Everyday plural noun.

viele Leutelots of people

Crowds.

nette Leutenice people

Social description.

die Menschenpeople / humans

Broader or more formal.

How to use Leute in real life

  1. 1Busy market

    Heute sind viele Leute unterwegs.

    Lots of people are out today.

    Viele Leute.

  2. 2Party review

    Die Leute waren super freundlich.

    The people were super friendly.

    Die Leute subject.

  3. 3Office chat

    Kennst du die Leute aus dem anderen Team?

    Do you know the people from the other team?

    Die Leute object.

Mistakes English speakers make with Leute

Incorrect: der Leute

Correct: die Leute

Leute takes die; it is plural.

Incorrect: ein Leute

Correct: ein Mensch / eine Person

Leute is plural; one person needs Mensch or Person.

Good to know

Leute is the casual crowd word. Menschen can sound more reflective (alle Menschen). In invitations, nette Leute is high praise.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Arriving at a festival

  1. ChatPal

    Wow, viele Leute hier.

    Wow, lots of people here.

  2. You

    Ja. Die Leute tanzen schon.

    Yes. The people are already dancing.

  3. ChatPal

    Suchen wir einen Platz ohne zu viele Leute?

    Shall we find a spot without too many people?

  4. You

    Gern. Ich mag Leute, aber nicht so eng.

    Gladly. I like people, but not so packed.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"People" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "People" in German

Leute vs Menschen?

Leute is everyday people; Menschen is broader/more formal.

Singular?

Use Person or Mensch, not Leute.

Lots of people?

Viele Leute.

Article?

Die Leute.

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