noun
origin, background
B1
Herkunft means 'origin' or 'background' (of a person, object, idea). Feminine noun (die) with plural 'Herkünfte'. Often used attributively: 'syrischer Herkunft' or in phrases like 'die Herkunft einer Person'. No special auxiliary verbs; common prepositions/phrases include 'aus' or 'von' when indicating source.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Die Journalistin fragte nach der Herkunft des Künstlers, obwohl der Name schon in der Ausstellung stand.
The journalist asked about the artist's origin, although the name was already on display in the exhibition.
Die Herkunft des Wortes ist unklar.
The origin of the word is unclear.
Seine Herkunft ist ländlich; er kommt aus einem kleinen Dorf.
His background is rural; he comes from a small village.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine a family tree with roots labeled 'Herkunft' (roots = origin)
Sounds like 'heritage' (herit-) -> think 'origin'
die Herkunft is feminine — imagine 'die' as a ribbon on a female ancestor in the family tree
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Herkunft is often used for both literal origins (place of origin) and social/ethnic background. It is frequently singular and used in abstract contexts (die Herkunft).