This question also has an answer here (in German):
Wie werden Namen von Adligen in Briefadressen korrekt angegeben?
As in other languages, sometimes you can encounter German names with prepositions in the family name. Here some examples:
- Wernher von Braun
- Karl August von Hardenberg
- Heinrich von Kleist
How can I address these people properly? Furthermore, if there are variants, which one is kind or stuck-up.
When I greet someone in an email or in person, which of the following should I use?
Guten Tag, Herr Braun
Guten Tag, Herr von Braun
When I talk with another person about the person with the preposition in his/her name, should which of the following should I use?
Gerne treffe ich mich mit Herrn Braun.
Gerne treffe ich mich mit Herrn von Braun.