Today’s word has an echo of trumpets and history books. The German noun Ruhm means fame, glory, or renown. It’s a formal, elevated word — think warriors, inventors, Olympic gold — but it still shows up in modern life, especially when talking about success, celebrity, or legacy.
Ruhm is a masculine noun, so the correct article is der — der Ruhm. If German noun gender still feels like a mystery, watch our quick 5-minute video to get it sorted once and for all.
Real conversations where Ruhm might come up
Ruhm isn’t a word you’ll hear in casual conversation every day — unless you’re talking about someone becoming famous or referencing historical figures. It’s used in literature, journalism, and formal speech, but also ironically when someone is trying to sound self-important.
– Der Sänger lebt jetzt in Berlin.
– Echt? Der Ruhm hat ihn also nicht vergessen.
(“The singer lives in Berlin now.” – “Really? So fame hasn’t forgotten him.”)
Beginner sample dialogue
Tina: Willst du berühmt werden?
Leo: Hm… Ruhm klingt gut, aber ich will lieber etwas Sinnvolles tun.
Tina: Gute Einstellung!
(Tina: Do you want to be famous?
Leo: Hmm… fame sounds nice, but I’d rather do something meaningful.
Tina: Good mindset!)
Grammar in action: How to use Ruhm
Let’s look at Ruhm in all four German cases:
Nominative: Der Ruhm veränderte ihn.
(Fame changed him.)Accusative: Sie suchte den Ruhm.
(She sought fame.)Dative: Mit dem Ruhm kamen auch die Probleme.
(With fame came problems too.)Genitive: Die Schattenseiten des Ruhms sind real.
(The dark sides of fame are real.)
Struggling to make sense of the cases? Our friendly grammar course explains them in everyday English — no memorizing tables, just understanding how German really works.
Other ways to say fame or glory in German
For everyday “fame,” Bekanntheit (recognition) or Berühmtheit (celebrity status) is often used. Ehre means honor and overlaps with Ruhm in military or historical contexts. But Ruhm is the most classic and timeless term for glory that lasts — the kind that lives on in books, songs, and headlines.
Word variations and tidbits
The root of Ruhm is shared with berühmt (famous), and you’ll see it in poetic and ceremonial phrases:
Ruhm und Ehre – glory and honor
nach Ruhm streben – to seek fame
ewiger Ruhm – eternal fame
Held in Ruhm und Glanz – a hero in glory and splendor
You’ll also find it in titles of German books, music, or political speeches. For example, “Dem Ruhm verpflichtet” means “committed to greatness” — a phrase often used by football clubs, military units, or ambitious startups.
Duden entry:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Ruhm
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