berühmt

Berühmt is a German adjective meaning famous or widely known. It is used to describe persons, places, works, or events that have gained broad recognition. The term originates from the verb berühmen, meaning to praise or commend, and ultimately from the noun Ruhm, fame. The be- prefix forms a participial or resultative sense, giving the sense of “made famous” or “renowned.”

Usage and grammar can vary with context. As a regular adjective, it inflects like other adjectives: der berühmte Mann, die berühmte Schauspielerin, ein berühmter Ort; with an indefinite article or no article the forms are ein berühmter Künstler, berühmt–by context. A common compound is weltberühmt, meaning world-famous. The phrase kann auch mit wegen or durch followed by a noun: berühmt wegen seiner Werke, berühmt durch sein Theaterstück.

Berühmtheit is the related noun meaning fame or celebrity, used for the quality of being famous or for referring to a famous person (eine Berühmtheit). In contrast to bekannt, berühmt often conveys a higher level of recognition and international visibility, though the nuance depends on context. World-famous and highly acclaimed expressions are frequently formed with compounds such as weltberühmt or international terms.

Examples: Er ist weltweit berühmt.; Diese Stadt ist berühmt für ihr Museum. Der Autor erlangte Berühmtheit durch seinen Bestseller.

See also: Bekanntheit, Berühmtheit, Berühmtheit, Prominent, Weltberühmt.