Halunke

German

Etymology

In literary use since ca. 1700. From Silesian East Central German Holomken (“servant”, 15th c.), from Old Czech holomek. Compare modern Czech holomek (“scoundrel”). The also attested sense “heathland warden, messenger” suggests merger with older Upper Sorbian *holank (attested as a name), diminutive of holan (“heathland dweller”), derived from hola (“heath”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /haˈlʊŋkə/
  • Audio(file)
  • Hyphenation: Ha‧lun‧ke

Noun

Halunke m (weak, genitive Halunken, plural Halunken)

  1. scoundrel, thug
    Synonyms: Schuft, Schurke, Strolch
  2. (more mildly) rascal, scalawag
    Synonyms: Schlingel, Schlitzohr, Schlawiner

Declension
Declension of Halunke [masculine, weak]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Halunke die Halunken
genitive eines des Halunken der Halunken
dative einem dem Halunken den Halunken
accusative einen den Halunken die Halunken

Further reading
  • “Halunke” in Duden online
  • “Halunke” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
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