zigeuner

See also: Zigeuner

English

Alternative forms

• Zigeuner

Etymology

Borrowed from German Zigeuner. See the German entry for further etymological information. Doublet of tzigane.

Noun

zigeuner (plural zigeuners)

1. (offensive) A Gypsy.

Usage notes

Zigeuner is an imprecise exonym probably derived from a Greek word for “untouchable”. It is considered offensive by many Romani.

Anagrams

• Zeringue

Dutch

Etymology

Borrowed from German Zigeuner. See the German entry for further etymological information.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌziˈɣøː.nər/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: zi‧geu‧ner
• Rhymes: -øːnər

Noun

zigeuner m (plural zigeuners, diminutive zigeunertje n, feminine zigeunerin)

1. (sometimes offensive) Gypsy, member of the Roma
2. (sometimes offensive) gypsy, person who leads a nomadic life

Usage notes

Some people and organizations consider the term offensive, sometimes putting woonwagenbewoner, Roma and Sinti forward as neutral alternatives.[1] Many speakers use the word zigeuner neutrally, and the term is a common word, in both informal and formal contexts, and is also often used by newspapers and state media. The perceived political incorrectness of the term zigeuner also led to equally unsuccessful renaming efforts for zigeunersaus. Some Romani people self-identify using the term zigeuner. Compounds combing the two words are also used, i.e. Roma-zigeuner and Sinti-zigeuner.

Derived terms

• zigeunerdans
• zigeunerfamilie
• zigeunerin
• zigeunerkamp
• zigeunermuziek
• zigeunersaus
• zigeunerschnitzel
• zigeunerstam
• Zigeunertaal
• zigeunertaal
• zigeunervolk
• zigeunerwagen

Related terms

• antiziganisme

Descendants

• Afrikaans: sigeuner
• → West Frisian: sigeuner