The American Pledge of Allegiance in German

The Pledge of Allegiance is a daily recitation for many students and citizens in the United States. It’s a short but powerful statement of loyalty to the country, often said while standing, facing the flag, and placing the right hand over the heart. But what would this iconic American tradition sound like in German?

Below are two common translations of the Pledge of Allegiance. While there’s no official German version, these options stay as close as possible to the original meaning and tone while using natural-sounding German.

🇩🇪 Option 1:

Ich schwöre Treue auf die Fahne der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika und die Republik, für die sie steht, eine Nation unter Gott, unteilbar, mit Freiheit und Gerechtigkeit für jeden.

This version uses "Ich schwöre Treue" ("I swear loyalty"), which emphasizes a formal, solemn vow. The phrase "für jeden" ("for everyone") translates "for all" more literally.

🇩🇪 Option 2:

Ich gelobe Treue der Fahne der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika und der Republik, für die sie steht, eine Nation unter Gott, unteilbar, mit Freiheit und Gerechtigkeit für alle.

This version uses "Ich gelobe Treue" ("I pledge loyalty"), which may sound slightly more like the English "I pledge allegiance." The phrase "für alle" matches the original phrase “for all” word for word.

Which translation of the "Pledge of Allegiance" should you use? 

While both versions are valid, the choice between them depends on your tone preference. “Schwören” (to swear) sounds more formal and binding, while “geloben” (to pledge) is closer to the original English wording. Likewise, “für jeden” vs. “für alle” offers a subtle stylistic difference—both mean “for all,” but “für jeden” is more idiomatic in German.