Which to use
“Neger” and “Nigger” are a confusable German pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.
- #12,351
- “Neger” frequency rank
- #35,933
- “Nigger” frequency rank
- 48284
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Neger | Nigger |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | ein dunkelhäutiger Mensch subsaharischer Abstammung | rassistisch beleidigende Fremdbezeichnung für eine (männliche) Person mit (sehr) dunkler Hautfarbe und vor allem afroamerikanischer, ferner auch afrodeutscher beziehungsweise subsaharischer Abstammung oder mit Vorfahren, die von dorther stammen |
Where the spellings diverge
Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set Neger and Nigger apart are highlighted. They share 4 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.
Spelling & Dictionary Insight
A purely visual mix-up. Neger ([ˈneːɡɐ]) and Nigger ([ˈnɪɡɐ]) are said differently, so reading them aloud is the quickest way to catch the wrong one. On the page they stay close: they differ by 1 letter(s) in length. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 48284, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
Neger is recorded at frequency rank #12,351, classified as anoun, pronounced [ˈneːɡɐ]. Nigger is at rank #35,933, tagged as anoun, pronounced [ˈnɪɡɐ].
Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.
With a confusion score of 48284, this pair ranks #1,254,211 of 2,006,359 scored German confusable pairs - roughly mid-pack for confusability.
Orthographic DNA of Neger vs Nigger
Shared letters: egnr. Private to "Neger": -. Private to "Nigger": i.
"Neger" · 5 letters · shape CVCVC · "Nigger" · 6 letters · shape CVCCVC
Known mistypes of this pair
Frequency comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Can "Neger" and "Nigger" be used interchangeably?
Which is more common, "Neger" or "Nigger"?
Remembering Neger vs Nigger
The fastest way to pick the right one every time.
- Read both glosses above and match the meaning you intend, only context separates this pair.
- See each word in full, definition, IPA, etymology and its other confusables. Full “Neger” entry
- Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable