der
Achte
🔢 What does 'der Achte' actually mean?
The word 'der Achte' is the masculine form of the ordinal number for the number 8 (acht). It denotes the eighth position in a sequence or count when referring to a masculine person or a masculine noun.
- It can refer to a person: Der achte Läufer war erschöpft. (The eighth runner was exhausted.)
- It can refer to a day of the month: Heute ist der Achte (Mai). (Today is the eighth (of May).)
- It can refer back to a previously mentioned masculine noun: Welchen Zug nimmst du? Den Achten. (Which train are you taking? The eighth one.)
🚨 Attention: Don't confuse 'der Achte' with 'die Acht' (the number/digit 8) or the exclamation 'Achtung!' (Attention!/Watch out!).
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Declension of 'der Achte'
'Der Achte' is a substantivized adjective (derived from the ordinal number 'acht'). It is declined like an adjective following the definite article.
Declension (Masculine Singular)
| Case | Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative | der Achte |
| Genitive | des Achten |
| Dative | dem Achten |
| Accusative | den Achten |
There isn't really a plural form for 'der Achte' in this specific meaning of a single masculine item in eighth place. If talking about multiple eighth items, you might use formulations like 'die Achten' (e.g., Die Achten in den jeweiligen Gruppen... - The eighth ones in the respective groups...), but this is context-dependent.
Examples
- Nominative: Der Achte, der die Prüfung bestand, war sehr glücklich.
(The eighth one who passed the exam was very happy.) - Genitive: Das Ergebnis des Achten Läufers war überraschend gut.
(The result of the eighth runner was surprisingly good.) - Dative: Ich gratuliere dem Achten zum Geburtstag.
(I congratulate the eighth one on his birthday.) - Accusative: Hast du den Achten gesehen?
(Did you see the eighth one?) - As date: Wir treffen uns am Achten (des Monats).
(We are meeting on the eighth (of the month).)
💡 When and how to use 'der Achte'?
'Der Achte' is used to specify a particular position in a sequence for something masculine.
- Rankings: In competitions, lists, or hierarchies (e.g., der achte Platz - the eighth place, der achte König dieses Namens - the eighth king of this name).
- Dates: To name the eighth day of a month (e.g., der achte Januar - the eighth of January, am Achten - on the eighth).
- Enumerations: When referring back to a preceding masculine noun (e.g., Von allen Bewerbern war er der Achte, der eingeladen wurde. - Of all applicants, he was the eighth one who was invited.).
Context is key: Without context, 'der Achte' is ambiguous. It could refer to a day, a person, or an object. The article ('der') and the surrounding text clarify the meaning.
Comparison:
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Achte'
For the article 'der': Think of a strong, masculine figure who came eighth in a race – maybe Derminator came eighth? The 'Der' helps remember the masculine article.
For the meaning 'eighth': The number Acht (8) looks like an infinity symbol (∞) standing up, or a racetrack. Imagine the eighth runner (der Läufer) crossing the finish line on this track 8.
🔄 Related and Opposites: Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (context-dependent):
Similar but different words:
😂 A little joke on the side
German: Warum hat die Zahl 8 Angst vor der Zahl 7?
Antwort: Weil 7 8 9!
English Translation: Why is the number 8 afraid of the number 7?
Answer: Because 7 8 9! (Seven ate nine!)
✒️ 'Der Achte' in Verse
German:
Sieben kamen schon vorher dran,
dann trat er auf den Plan, der Mann.
Nicht erster, nicht letzter, solide dabei,
der Achte war's, die Nummer frei.
Im Rennen, im Monat, im Königsgeschlecht,
die Position acht war ihm gerade recht.
English Translation:
Seven already had their turn before,
then he stepped up, the man, to the fore.
Not first, not last, solidly in the fray,
the Eighth it was, the number held sway.
In the race, the month, the royal line's test,
the position eight suited him just the best.
❓ Riddle Fun: What am I?
German:
Ich folge auf die Sieben klar,
bin männlich, das ist wahr.
Im Kalender find'st du mich,
welche Ordnungszahl bin ich?
Lösung: Der Achte
English Translation:
I clearly follow number seven,
I'm masculine, it's true, by heaven.
You'll find me in the calendar's list,
Which ordinal number am I, amidst?
Solution: Der Achte (The Eighth)
ℹ️ More Fun Facts
Word Formation: 'Achte' is derived from the cardinal number 'acht' (8). Most ordinal numbers up to 19 add '-te' (e.g., vierte - fourth, fünfte - fifth, sechste - sixth), while numbers from 20 onwards add '-ste' (e.g., zwanzigste - twentieth). 'Achte' follows the regular pattern for numbers below 20.
Cultural Notes: The number 8 holds different meanings across cultures. In Christianity, it often symbolizes a new beginning (resurrection on the eighth day after entering Jerusalem). In China, 8 is considered a lucky number.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Achte?
The word 'Achte' uses the article 'der' when referring to a masculine person or noun that holds the eighth position in a sequence (e.g., der achte Mann - the eighth man, der achte Tag - the eighth day). It is the masculine form of the ordinal number 8.