Leute

Leute is a common German noun meaning "people" or "folks." It refers to a group of individuals and, unlike the singular term "Person" (or "eine Person"), has no standard singular form in contemporary usage. For a single person one uses "eine Person" or "jemand." In sentences, "die Leute" designates either a specific group or people in general, while "einige Leute" or "viele Leute" specify quantities. The word is widely used across registers, though it tends to be more informal than terms like "Menschen" or "Personen."

Etymology: The word originates from Middle High German luote, from Old High German lûti, meaning "people" or "crowd." It reflects a long-standing Germanic concept of a group identified by shared language, locality, or social ties. The modern form "Leute" has been in standard usage for centuries and remains a core part of everyday speech.

Usage and nuance: "Leute" functions as a collective noun and takes plural agreement ("die Leute sind ..."). It often carries a friendly, informal tone. In formal writing, speakers may prefer "Personen" or "Menschen." The word can also be used vocatively, as in "Leute, hört zu!" to address an audience.

Examples: "Die Leute in der Stadt helfen einander." "Ich kenne heute Abend einige Leute von der Arbeit." "Viele Leute warten vor dem Theater." See also: Personen, Menschen.