Kollege

Kollege is a German noun that denotes a person who shares a professional environment with another, typically a coworker or associate in a workplace, research group, or academic setting. The term is commonly used in everyday speech to refer to male colleagues; the feminine form is Kollegin, and the plural is Kollegen or Kolleginnen for mixed or female groups, respectively. While most often encountered in professional contexts, Kollege can also appear in informal, collegial conversations among students, researchers, and office workers.

Etymology and historical development: Kollege derives from Latin collegae, meaning a partner or fellow in a college, guild, or society. The word entered German through historical layers of scholarly and professional language, evolving to describe someone who collaborates or shares duties within a common institution or project. Over time, it has become a standard term for colleagues across different sectors.

Usage and nuances: In German, Kollege emphasizes a working relationship rather than personal friendship; the term is typically used in neutral or respectful contexts. It can appear in plural forms to refer to multiple coworkers, or in compound phrases such as Arbeitkollege (work colleague) or Forschungskollege (research colleague). In more formal or academic settings, the term may be used with professional distance, while in casual speech among peers it can carry a collegial tone.

See also: The English equivalent is colleague or coworker. The related feminine form is Kollegin, and the plural forms are Kollegen and Kolleginnen.