Epos

epic; long narrative poem

noun EH-pos Rare

Origin: from Greek epos (word, song)

Also means

epic poem

Usage Note

Epos refers to a lengthy narrative poem dealing with heroic or mythic themes, such as the Nibelungenlied. The adjective is episch: ein mittelhochdeutsches Epos, die Tradition des Epos.

Examples

"Das Nibelungenlied gilt als das bedeutendste Epos der deutschen Literatur."

Natural Translation

The Nibelungenlied is considered the most significant epic of German literature.

Literal Translation

The Nibelungenlied counts as the most significant epic of German literature.

Related Words

Explore German by topic

GermanNow

Order Food in German: Restaurant Phrases

Order food in German with confidence: use ich hätte gern, read the Speisekarte, ask die Rechnung bitte, and handle zusammen oder getrennt like a local.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

GermanNow

German Modal Verbs: Können, Müssen, Wollen and More

German modal verbs put the modal in position 2 and the real verb at the end. Master können, müssen, wollen and the rest with charts and clear examples.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

GermanNow

German Umlauts & ß: Sounds and Typing

Pronounce ä, ö, ü with the front-tongue, rounded-lips rule, master the ß vs ss spelling, and type every German umlaut on Mac, Windows, and phone.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

German Compound Words: How to Read Any Long Word

Read any long German word by working right-to-left: the last noun sets the meaning and gender, and the small linking letters are just glue. Here's the drill.

June 9, 2026 6 min read