Bube

See also: bube

English

Proper noun

Bube

  1. A Bantu language spoken by the Bubi people.
    Synonym: Fernandian

German

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle High German buobe (knave), from Old High German Buobo, a male name of unknown meaning. Cognate with Dutch boef (villain). Probably also related to boy; see there for more.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈbuːbə/
  • (file)

Noun

Bube m (weak, genitive Buben, plural Buben, diminutive Bübchen n or Büblein n, feminine (rare) Bübin)

  1. knave; jack (playing card)
  2. (regional, Southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland) boy; lad
  3. (regional, northern and central Germany) rogue; villain; naughty boy

Usage notes

  • In northern and central Germany, the word is now used almost exclusively for the playing card. The southern sense “boy” is understood but not used. The older regional sense “rogue, villain” has become chiefly restricted to the diminutive Bübchen or to fixed combinations and compounds (böser Bube, Bubenstreich, Spitzbube, etc.).

Declension

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

Descendants

  • Esperanto: bubo
  • Hungarian: bubi
  • Ido: bubo

Further reading

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