Ruf
Sein Ruf als ehrlicher Geschäftsmann ist unbestritten.
His reputation as an honest businessman is undisputed.
the general opinion or belief held about someone or something
Der Ruf der Universität ist weltweit exzellent.
The university's reputation is excellent worldwide.
Used for both individuals and institutions.
a call or shout to attract attention
Er hörte einen lauten Ruf aus dem Wald.
He heard a loud call from the forest.
Often implies urgency or a need for response.
a phone call
Ich gebe dir später einen Ruf.
I'll give you a call later.
Common in colloquial German, especially in southern regions.
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'Anruf'
'Ruf' can mean both reputation and a call/shout, while 'Anruf' specifically means a phone call. In ambiguous contexts, use 'Anruf' for phone calls to prevent misunderstanding.
Gold Rule
Use 'Ruf' for reputation in formal contexts
When discussing someone's or something's standing in society, use 'Ruf'. Example: 'Der Ruf der Firma litt unter dem Skandal.' (The company's reputation suffered from the scandal.)
Word Origin
From Middle High German *ruof*, from Old High German *ruof*, from Proto-Germanic *hrōpaz* (shout, call), related to English 'roop' (archaic) and Dutch 'roep'.
Usage Notes
In formal contexts, 'Ruf' is preferred for reputation, while 'Anruf' is used for phone calls to avoid ambiguity. The colloquial use for phone calls is regional and not universally understood.