Not all German words are used every day — some appear with pomp, in royal settings or ironic eye-rolls. That’s the case with majesty in German, a word that signals power, formality, or playful exaggeration.
The German word is die Majestät. It’s feminine, and the plural is die Majestäten, though you’ll rarely hear the plural outside historical or political texts. If you’re unsure about gender and articles, my gender video lesson gives you the tools to make it click.
Majestät is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and even if it feels grand or old-fashioned, it still pops up more often than you'd think — in courtrooms, school sarcasm, and royal contexts.
Examples in all four cases:
Nominative:
Die Majestät betrat den Saal.
The majesty entered the hall.
Accusative:
Ich sah die Majestät von Weitem.
I saw the majesty from afar.
Dative:
Mit der Majestät zu sprechen war eine Ehre.
Speaking with the majesty was an honor.
Genitive:
Die Krone der Majestät war aus Gold.
The crown of the majesty was made of gold.
Real-World Tips for Learners
In formal German, Majestät is used like a title:
Ihre Majestät, der König von Schweden – His Majesty, the King of Sweden
Seine Majestät hat gesprochen – His Majesty has spoken
But in everyday speech, it’s more often used ironically — especially when someone is being overly picky, slow, or dramatic. You might hear a parent say:
Na, wartet Ihre Majestät noch auf den roten Teppich?
(Well then, is Your Majesty still waiting for the red carpet?)
There’s also the phrase:
Majestätsbeleidigung – literally “insulting majesty,” referring to an offense against a monarch (once a serious crime, now a historical or metaphorical concept)
This word carries a highly formal or ceremonial tone, so even in playful use, it implies distance or status.
Learners should be aware that Majestät is not typically used for emotional grandeur (like glory or grandeur) — it’s more title and tone than abstract feeling.
Beginner dialogue using Majestät:
A: Guten Morgen, Majestät!
B: Danke, Untertan. Bring mir Kaffee.
A: Good morning, Your Majesty!
B: Thank you, subject. Bring me coffee.
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Majestät.
“Wer ist eine Majestät in deinem Leben — und warum?”
Who is a majesty in your life — and why?
Be creative — serious or sarcastic works equally well!
German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say majesty in German — and how die Majestät still rules in formal titles, historical texts, and sarcastic asides.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and reign over your German vocabulary, one word at a time.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Land — for a word with layers of meaning from nation to nature.
Or revisit Lust — and learn to express what you’re craving, seriously or playfully.