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German dialect

Berlinerisch

Also known as: Berlin German, Berlinisch

The urban dialect of Berlin and surrounding Brandenburg. Mixes Low German substrate with Standard German, famous for its dry humour and clipped delivery.

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Frequently asked questions

What language is Berlinerisch?

Berlinerisch is a dialect of the German language.

Where is Berlinerisch spoken?

Berlinerisch is primarily spoken in Germany.

Which region is Berlinerisch associated with?

Berlinerisch is part of the Europe region on DialectAtlas.

Is Berlinerisch known by other names?

Yes — Berlinerisch is also referred to as Berlin German, Berlinisch.

What are the other dialects of German?

German also includes Hochdeutsch, Bairisch, Schwäbisch, Sächsisch, Plattdüütsch, Hessisch, Kölsch, Wienerisch, Schwyzerdütsch, Namibian German, Hunsrik, Pennsylvania Dutch, Texas German. Each variety has its own vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context.

Other German dialects

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Hochdeutsch

Standard German · Standard High German · Schriftdeutsch

The codified standard variety of German used in education, media, and administration across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Based on the High German consonant shift and a written norm dating to Luther; the spoken standard is conventionally associated with the Hanover region of Lower Saxony.

Bairisch

Bavarian · Bavarian-Austrian

A large Upper German dialect group spoken across Bavaria and most of Austria, with distinctive vowel shifts and vocabulary far removed from Standard German.

Kölsch

Cologne German · Ripuarian

A Ripuarian Central Franconian dialect spoken in Cologne and the surrounding Rhineland. Distinctive for its melodic intonation and rich local vocabulary.

Namibian German

Namdeutsch · Namibisches Deutsch · Namibia-Deutsch

The German variety of Namibia, maintained by a long-standing German-speaking minority and shaped by contact with Afrikaans, English, and Namibian languages such as Oshiwambo, Otjiherero, and Khoekhoegowab. It remains visible in schools, churches, media, tourism, and everyday community life, especially around Windhoek and the coast.

Hunsrik

Brazilian German · Riograndenser Hunsrückisch · Hunsrückisch

A German-derived minority variety spoken by descendants of nineteenth-century settlers in southern Brazil, especially Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná. It descends mainly from Hunsrück Franconian and has developed under long contact with Brazilian Portuguese.

Texas German

Texasdeutsch

An endangered German enclave variety spoken by descendants of nineteenth-century German settlers in central Texas, especially around New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, and the Hill Country. It preserves older German features while reflecting long contact with American English.

Nearby dialects

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Lower Sorbian

106 km away

A West Slavic language spoken by the Sorb minority of Lower Lusatia in Brandenburg, centred on Cottbus (Chóśebuz). Critically endangered, with revitalisation efforts in bilingual schools and the Witaj programme.

Upper Sorbian

165 km away

A West Slavic language spoken by the Sorb minority of Upper Lusatia in Saxony, centred on Bautzen (Budyšin). Around 13,000 speakers; carries a continuous literary tradition since the 16th century.

Hochdeutsch

250 km away

The codified standard variety of German used in education, media, and administration across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Based on the High German consonant shift and a written norm dating to Luther; the spoken standard is conventionally associated with the Hanover region of Lower Saxony.

Standard Czech

281 km away

The Prague-based literary and broadcast standard of Czech. The official language of Czechia and a West Slavic counterpart to Slovak with which it is highly mutually intelligible.

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