Berühmten

Berühmten is a German noun that refers collectively to well-known people, often translated as "the famous" or "the famous people." It is most commonly used with a definite article in the plural form die Berühmten, as in Die Berühmten standen im Mittelpunkt der Veranstaltung. In other grammatical cases the form Berühmten appears without the article, for example mit den Berühmten.

Etymology and usage notes: Berühmten is derived from the adjective berühmt, meaning famous, and is treated as a plural noun when capitalized. The term functions as a generic label for individuals who enjoy public recognition across fields such as entertainment, politics, sports, and culture. It is common in journalistic, literary, and conversational German to refer to groups of notable people without naming them explicitly.

Context and examples: In media discourse, the Berühmten are often described in terms of influence, notoriety, or celebrity culture, rather than as a specific roster of people. For example, Die Berühmten nehmen regelmäßig an Wohltätigkeitsveranstaltungen teil. Die Berühmten stehen unter Beobachtung der Öffentlichkeit. The phrase can carry evaluative nuance, ranging from admiration to critique, depending on context and tone.

Related terms: Berühmtheit and Prominenz describe the broader concept of fame or prominence. The term is language-specific and typically rendered in English as "the famous" or "the celebrities," with nuances varying by context.