echter

Echter is a German adjective meaning genuine or authentic. It is used to indicate that something is real, not counterfeit, or of real quality. The term can apply to objects, materials, people, or abstract qualities, as in echtes Gold (genuine gold), ein echter Freund (a true friend), or echte Handwerkskunst (genuine craftsmanship).

Grammatically, ech­ter is the inflected form used before a masculine singular noun in the nominative case after an indefinite article. The form changes with gender, number, and case: feminine forms include eine echte Frau, neuter forms include ein echtes Auto, and plural forms use echte with or without an article, as in echte Freunde. With definite articles, the corresponding form is der echte Mann, die echte Frau, das echte Auto, and so on.

Usage and nuance: Echter emphasizes authenticity, quality, or legitimacy. It is common in everyday speech and in advertising, where it contrasts with counterfeit, fake, or imitated goods. The word can carry positive connotations when highlighting sincerity, reliability, or craftsmanship, but it can also be used critically to stress that something is genuinely what it claims to be.

Other uses: As a surname, Echter exists in German-speaking regions and among Dutch-speaking communities. In onomastic contexts, it appears as a family name in historical and contemporary records.

In summary, ech­ter denotes authenticity and realness in German, with flexible inflection and broad applicability across objects, people, and concepts.