noun

der Roman, -e

novel

Ein längerer Text, in dem eine erfundene Geschichte mit verschiedenen Figuren und Ereignissen erzählt wird.

Definition & meaning

A "Roman" is a long, fictional prose narrative that describes characters and events, typically in the form of a book. It is a major literary genre characterized by its depth, complexity, and the development of characters over a significant span of time or through various life events. While it usually refers to a physical or digital book, the term can also describe the content itself—a story that is extensive and multifaceted.

In some contexts, "Roman" can figuratively refer to a series of events in real life that are so dramatic, complicated, or unlikely that they seem like they were taken from a work of fiction.

Grammar & Word origin

The word is a masculine noun: der Roman. Its plural form is die Romane.

The term originates from the Old French word romanz, which initially referred to the vernacular "Romance" languages (as opposed to Latin). Eventually, it came to describe works written in these languages. By the 17th and 18th centuries, the word evolved in German to specifically denote the literary genre of the novel as we know it today.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

Buch – While this general term means "book," it is often used interchangeably when referring to a novel.
Erzählung – Meaning "narrative" or "tale," though this is often shorter or less complex than a full novel.
Werk – Meaning "work," used to describe a literary creation in a more formal or artistic sense.
Belletristik – A collective noun for fiction or "fine literature."

Antonyms:

Sachbuch – A non-fiction book that provides factual information rather than a fictional story.
Kurzgeschichte – A "short story," which is distinguished by its brevity compared to the length of a novel.
Gedicht – A "poem," representing a different literary form (poetry vs. prose).
Fachbuch – A "textbook" or specialized book focused on a specific professional or academic field.