gemeine

gemeine

"Gemeine" in German can mean "common" or "mean" depending on context.

Here, 'gemeine' is used to mean 'mean' or 'unkind' in the sense of behaving cruelly or unfairly.

Das war eine sehr gemeine Bemerkung!

That was a very mean remark!

'gemeine' in this context means 'common' or 'ordinary', referring to the widespread and usual type of nettle.

Die gemeine Brennnessel wächst überall im Garten.

The common nettle grows everywhere in the garden.

Here, 'gemeine' describes 'the common people', implying 'ordinary' or 'not noble' individuals within society.

Im Mittelalter war das gemeine Volk oft arm und hatte wenige Rechte.

In the Middle Ages, the common people were often poor and had few rights.