ein alter Bekannter
/aɪn ˈaltɐ bɛˈkantɐtə/phrase★Intermediate— an old acquaintance
informal
A person one has known for a long time but is not a close friend or family member.
Wir trafen uns zufällig mit einem alten Bekannten im Café.
We happened to meet an old acquaintance at the café.
💡
This phrase is commonly used to refer to someone you know casually from the past.
Collocations
ein alter Freundan old friendein neuer Bekanntera new acquaintance
Antonyms
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Usage Context
Use this phrase when referring to someone you know but are not particularly close to, especially in social or casual settings.
⚡Gold Rule
Formality
This phrase is informal and should not be used in formal or professional contexts.
📖Word Origin
Derived from the adjective 'alt' (old) and the noun 'Bekannter' (acquaintance), emphasizing a long-standing but not necessarily close relationship.
📝Usage Notes
This phrase is often used when encountering someone from one's past in a casual or social setting.
Word Breakdown
ein
a/an
articlealter
old
adjectiveBekannter
acquaintance
nounDeutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch