Germanophile
A Germanophile is someone who likes German culture, language, people, or Germany itself, even if they are not German or a citizen. The opposite is Germanophobia.
The term became common in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially after Germany’s unification and rise in power. It is used in both politics and culture.
Notable ideas and examples: German philosopher Hegel talked about Europe as three areas—England, France, and Germany. In 19th‑century Britain, some admired German culture, while others talked about Scandophile as a contrast. In continental Europe, a Germanophile might side with Germany against France, while Anglophile describes someone who admires England. Some people admired the Prussian higher‑education model developed by Humboldt, which spread to many universities.
Examples include Serb elites in the 19th century and in the interwar period who were Germanophiles. Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges called himself a Germanophile; he learned German in Geneva during World War I to read Heine in the original language and later cited many German poets and philosophers as influences. He criticized Nazi distortions of German culture but supported the Allies in World War II, warning that Western civilization still depended on German contributions.
Egyptian-born Ottoman officer Aziz Ali al‑Misri also described himself as a Germanophile. After Germany’s surrender in 1919, he was despondent and later tried to reach Germany during World War II without success.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 10:29 (CET).