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German dialect

Plattdüütsch

Also known as: Low German, Niederdeutsch, Plattdeutsch

The Low German varieties of northern Germany and the eastern Netherlands. Linguistically closer to Dutch and English than to Standard German in several core features.

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Frequently asked questions

What language is Plattdüütsch?

Plattdüütsch is a dialect of the German language.

Where is Plattdüütsch spoken?

Plattdüütsch is primarily spoken in Germany, Netherlands.

Which region is Plattdüütsch associated with?

Plattdüütsch is part of the Europe region on DialectAtlas.

Is Plattdüütsch known by other names?

Yes — Plattdüütsch is also referred to as Low German, Niederdeutsch, Plattdeutsch.

What are the other dialects of German?

German also includes Hochdeutsch, Bairisch, Schwäbisch, Sächsisch, Berlinerisch, 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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Hochdeutsch

132 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 Danish

289 km away

The Copenhagen-based standard of Danish. A North Germanic language, widely cited for its highly reduced vowels and famously challenging stød (a quasi-tonal feature) for learners.

Lower Sorbian

354 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.

Standard Dutch

365 km away

The Holland-based standard of Dutch. The official language of the Netherlands and one of the official languages of Belgium and Suriname.

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