Gauner

See also: gauner

German

Etymology

From thieves’ cant (Rotwelsch) Jauner, Joner (“gambler, cardsharp”), attested ca. 1500 alongside the verb jonen. Further usually derived from Yiddish יוון (Yoven/Yovon, “Greece”), from Hebrew יָוָן (yāwān), because Greeks were said to be skilful cardsharps (compare French Grec in this sense). The anlaut is due to hypercorrection based on the widespread Central German pronunciation of initial g- as /j/. The form was established by Lessing.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈɡaʊ̯nər/, [ˈɡaʊ̯.nɐ]
  • Audio(file)

Noun

Gauner m (strong, genitive Gauners, plural Gauner, feminine Gaunerin)

  1. (informal) petty thief, crook, racketeer
    Synonyms: Ganove, Halunke, Kleinkrimineller
  2. (informal) sly, cunning person
    Synonyms: Schlitzohr, Schlawiner

Declension
Declension of Gauner [masculine, strong]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Gauner die Gauner
genitive eines des Gauners der Gauner
dative einem dem Gauner den Gaunern
accusative einen den Gauner die Gauner

Derived terms

See also

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