Genossin

Genossin is a German noun meaning female comrade, used as the feminine form of Genosse (comrade). It historically served as a respectful form of address within socialist and workers’ organizations, signaling political solidarity and membership in a shared cause.

Etymology and usage: The word is formed by adding the feminine suffix -in to Genosse. It was widely employed in the 20th century, especially in German-speaking socialist contexts such as the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and other movement circles, where both masculine and feminine forms were used to address party members or workers. In practice, speakers could use Genossin for women, Genosse for men, or the inclusive Genossinnen und Genossen to address all members.

Contemporary status: Since German reunification, the explicit use of gendered forms in everyday political language has declined. Genossin is now largely encountered in historical descriptions, archival texts, or literature. In modern German, the inclusive form Genossinnen und Genossen is common when addressing both genders, while the masculine Genosse remains in some contexts. The feminine Genossin survives mainly as a historical or stylistic reference to past political discourse.