Italiener

Italiener is the German masculine noun for a person from Italy. The feminine form is Italienerin, and the plurals are Italiener (for masculine or mixed groups) and Italienerinnen (for all-female groups). The term functions as a demonym, referring to nationality or ethnicity rather than to language or religion.

Origin and formation: The word is formed from the name of the country with the standard German agent-noun suffix -er, mirroring other demonyms such as Deutscher or Franzose. It is derived from the Latin Italianus via the Italian italiano into German.

Usage: In neutral prose, it can denote an Italian citizen or a person identified as Italian by background. In formal contexts one may specify citizenship (Italienischer Staatsbürger) or region (aus Italien, aus Rom etc.). As with other nationality terms, it should be used respectfully and without stereotyping.

Related topics include the general concept of demonyms and the country Italy.