Familienoberhaupt

head of the family

noun fa-MEE-lyen-oh-ber-howpt Rare

Also means

family patriarch/matriarch

Usage Note

Familienoberhaupt refers to the person seen as the authority figure or decision-maker within a family unit. Once strongly gendered (patriarchal), it is now used more neutrally and can apply to either gender.

Examples

"Als Familienoberhaupt trug er Verantwortung für alle Mitglieder."

Natural Translation

As head of the family, he bore responsibility for all members.

Literal Translation

As family-head, he carried responsibility for all members.

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