der
Apotheker
💊 What exactly is an Apotheker?
An Apotheker is a male person who has studied pharmacy (Pharmazie) and whose profession involves preparing, testing, storing, and dispensing medicinal products (Arzneimittel), as well as advising customers on their use. They typically work in a pharmacy (Apotheke).
It is a regulated profession requiring a university degree. The female form is die Apothekerin.
🚨 Attention: Do not confuse the Apotheker with a Drogist. A Drogist also sells health products but not prescription drugs and has different training.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Male characters → always masculine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
🧐 Grammar under the microscope: Der Apotheker
The word "Apotheker" is a masculine noun. It follows the N-declension (schwache Maskulina or weak masculine nouns), except for the genitive singular, where it takes a strong '-s' (a common exception for professions ending in -er).
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Apotheker |
| Genitive | des | Apothekers |
| Dative | dem | Apotheker |
| Accusative | den | Apotheker |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Apotheker |
| Genitive | der | Apotheker |
| Dative | den | Apothekern |
| Accusative | die | Apotheker |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Apotheker berät den Kunden ausführlich. (The pharmacist advises the customer in detail.)
- Ich gehe zum Apotheker, um mein Rezept einzulösen. (I'm going to the pharmacist to fill my prescription.)
- Das Wissen des Apothekers ist sehr wertvoll. (The pharmacist's knowledge is very valuable.)
- Wir haben mehrere Apotheker in unserer Stadt. (We have several pharmacists in our city.)
💬 How to use "Apotheker"?
The word Apotheker is mainly used to refer to the profession or the (male) person practicing this profession.
- In a professional context: "Er arbeitet als Apotheker in der Stadtapotheke." (He works as a pharmacist in the city pharmacy.)
- As a point of contact: "Frag den Apotheker nach Nebenwirkungen." (Ask the pharmacist about side effects.)
- In the job title: "Herr Müller ist Apotheker." (Mr. Müller is a pharmacist.)
The term is specific to individuals with a degree in pharmacy and a license to practice (Approbation). In everyday language, it often simply refers to the person who sells medication or gives advice in the Apotheke, although this might sometimes be a pharmaceutical technical assistant (Pharmazeutisch-technischer Assistent or PTA).
The female form die Apothekerin is common and important for correctly referring to women in this profession.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Remembering the article: Think of a male professional: Der Apotheker helps her. Most male professions ending in -er are 'der'.
Remembering the meaning: Apo sounds a bit like 'a potent' (drug) and the 'theker' (taker/giver) provides it. The Apotheker gives you potent medicine.
🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms
Synonyms:
- Pharmazeut: This is the scientific term and often used synonymously. An Apotheker is always a Pharmazeut, but not every Pharmazeut works as an Apotheker (e.g., they might work in research).
- (Colloquial, rare): Giftmischer (lit. 'poison mixer' - outdated, rather humorous/negative)
Antonyms (in a broader sense):
There are no direct antonyms. One could name professions with opposite goals, but that's far-fetched. More useful are related but different professions:
😄 A little Joke
Kunde: "Haben Sie etwas gegen Husten?"
Apotheker: "Nein, absolut nicht. Husten Sie ruhig!"
Customer: "Do you have something for a cough?" (lit. "Do you have something against coughing?")
Pharmacist: "No, absolutely not. Go ahead and cough!" (Playing on the double meaning of "etwas gegen etwas haben" - to have medicine for sth. / to be against sth.)
📜 Poem about the Apotheker
Im weißen Kittel, klug und schlicht,
steht der Apotheker, kennt die Pflicht.
Mischt Salben, Pillen, Tropfen fein,
für Gesundheit, gegen Schmerz und Pein.
Mit Rat und Tat, zu jeder Stund',
macht er die Kranken schnell gesund.
In a white coat, smart and plain,
stands the pharmacist, knows the strain.
Mixes ointments, pills, drops so fine,
for good health, against ache and pine.
With advice and help, hour by hour,
he makes the sick well, with his power.
🕵️ Who am I? A Riddle
Ich trage Weiß, doch bin kein Koch.
Ich kenn' Rezepte, heil' dich doch.
Mit Pillen, Säften helf' ich gern,
wer bin ich, sag es, nah und fern?
I wear white, but I'm not a cook.
I know recipes, give health a look.
With pills and potions, I help with ease,
who am I, tell me, if you please?
Solution: Der Apotheker (The Pharmacist)
💡 Other Interesting Facts
- Word Origin: The word comes from the Greek apothḗkē (ἀποθήκη), which originally meant 'storeroom' or 'repository'. In the Middle Ages, it evolved to designate the place where medicinal herbs and drugs were stored and sold.
- Feminine Form: The female equivalent is die Apothekerin.
- Symbol: The common pharmacy symbol in Germany is often a red gothic letter 'A' incorporating a bowl of Hygieia (a serpent entwined around a cup) or a Rod of Asclepius.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Apotheker?
The word "Apotheker" is masculine. The correct article is der Apotheker. The female form is "die Apothekerin".