der
Ausländer
🌍 What does "der Ausländer" mean?
Der Ausländer refers to a male person who does not hold the citizenship of the country they are residing in or visiting. It essentially means foreigner or alien (in the legal sense).
The female form is die Ausländerin.
🚨 Important Note: While the term der Ausländer can be neutral in specific contexts (e.g., legal settings like Ausländerrecht - alien law), it is often perceived as distancing or even negative in everyday social interaction. In many contexts today, terms like *"Personen mit internationaler Geschichte"* (people with international history), *"Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund"* (people with a migration background), or more specific descriptions (e.g., "der spanische Staatsbürger" - the Spanish citizen) are preferred to avoid stigmatization.
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 in Detail: Der Ausländer
Der Ausländer is a masculine noun. It belongs to the weak N-declension (schwache N-Deklination). This means it takes an "-n" ending in all cases except the nominative singular.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Ausländer |
| Genitive | des | Ausländern |
| Dative | dem | Ausländern |
| Accusative | den | Ausländern |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ausländer |
| Genitive | der | Ausländer |
| Dative | den | Ausländern |
| Accusative | die | Ausländer |
Example Sentences
- Nominative: Der Ausländer beantragt eine Aufenthaltserlaubnis. (The foreigner applies for a residence permit.)
- Genitive: Die Dokumente des Ausländern wurden überprüft. (The foreigner's documents were checked.)
- Dative: Die Behörde half dem Ausländern bei der Antragstellung. (The authority helped the foreigner with the application.)
- Accusative: Die Polizei befragte den Ausländern. (The police questioned the foreigner.)
- Plural: Viele Ausländer leben und arbeiten in Deutschland. (Many foreigners live and work in Germany.)
🗣️ Usage and Context of "Ausländer"
The term der Ausländer is used in various contexts:
- Legal/Administrative: In laws, forms, and official contexts (e.g., Ausländerbehörde - foreigners' registration office, Ausländerrecht - alien law), the term is standard and meant neutrally.
- Everyday Language: Here, the term can quickly be perceived as exclusionary or generalizing. Its perception heavily depends on the speaker, situation, and tone of voice.
- Politics/Media: The term is often used in debates about migration and integration, sometimes with a negative connotation or to create distance.
Alternatives:
- Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund: (People with a migration background) - Includes naturalized citizens and their descendants. Broader and often preferred.
- Internationale Fachkräfte/Studierende: (International specialists/students) - More specific and positively connotated.
- Zuwanderer/Migrant: (Immigrant/Migrant) - Similar to Ausländer, but sometimes perceived as more neutral.
- Stating the nationality: e.g., "der Italiener" (the Italian man), "die Französin" (the French woman) (if known and relevant).
⚠️ It is advisable to use the term sensitively and choose more precise or less potentially loaded alternatives depending on the context.
🧠 Memory Aids for "der Ausländer"
- For the article 'der': Remember that Ausländer often refers to a male person (even when used generically). Think: Der Mann (the man) -> der Ausländer.
- For the meaning: Break down the word: "Aus" (from outside) + "Land" (country/land) + "-er" (person suffix). Someone who comes from outside the land -> an "out-lander" -> foreigner.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Der Fremde: (The stranger) - Someone unknown or not from here (can also apply within a country).
- Der Zuwanderer / Der Einwanderer: (The immigrant) - Person moving into a country to live there. Focus on the act of coming.
- Der Migrant: (The migrant) - Person changing their place of residence (often across borders). Internationally common term.
- Der Gastarbeiter (outdated): (Guest worker) - Historical term for recruited workers, rarely used today and often viewed critically.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Der Inländer: (The native/national) - Citizen of the country in question.
- Der Einheimische: (The local/native) - Person born and raised in a specific area.
- Der Staatsbürger: (The citizen) - Person holding the nationality of a country.
Similar but distinct terms:
- Asylbewerber/Flüchtling: (Asylum seeker/Refugee) - People seeking protection; specific legal categories.
- Expat (Expatriate): Often used for highly skilled individuals working temporarily abroad.
😄 A Little Joke
German: Fragt ein Tourist in Berlin einen Einheimischen: "Entschuldigen Sie, wie komme ich am schnellsten zum Brandenburger Tor?"
Der Berliner: "Janz einfach! Sie jehn hier gradeaus, dann links, dann rechts, wieder gradeaus, dann sehen Se 'ne Baustelle, da jehn Se drumrum, dann wieder links... oder... Sie nehmen einfach 'n Taxi!" 😉
English Translation: A tourist in Berlin asks a local: "Excuse me, what's the quickest way to the Brandenburg Gate?"
The Berliner: "Real easy! You go straight ahead here, then left, then right, straight again, then you'll see a construction site, go around that, then left again... or... just take a taxi!" 😉
📜 A Short Poem
German:
Aus fernem Land, mit fremder Zung',
kam er hierher, noch neu und jung.
Der Ausländer, so wird er genannt,
reicht über Grenzen seine Hand.
Sucht Anschluss, Arbeit, neues Glück,
geht Schritt für Schritt, Stück für Stück.
English Translation:
From distant land, with foreign tongue,
He came here, still new and young.
The foreigner, as he is named,
Reaches his hand across borders framed.
Seeks connection, work, new fortune's track,
Goes step by step, no turning back.
🤔 Little Riddle
German:
Ich komme aus der Ferne her,
mein Pass zeigt oft ein anderes Meer.
Ich lerne Sprache, Brauch und Sitte,
in eurer Mitte.
Rechtlich gesehen, im Pass vermerkt,
wer bin ich, habt ihr's gemerkt?
English Translation:
I come from far away,
My passport often shows another bay.
I learn language, customs, and tradition,
In your position.
Legally speaking, noted in the pass,
Who am I, have you guessed, alas?
Solution: Der Ausländer (The foreigner)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Ausländer" is composed of:
- Prefix "aus-": Indicates an origin from outside.
- Noun "Land": Refers to the country (of origin or residence).
- Suffix "-er": Forms masculine nouns denoting a person.
Historical Context: The term and its perception have changed significantly over time, influenced by political and social developments, especially various waves of migration to Germany.
Feminine Form: The explicit female form is "die Ausländerin". The plural ("die Ausländer") often refers to all genders, but for more precise address, "Ausländerinnen und Ausländer" or gender-neutral formulations are often used today.
Summary: is it der, die or das Ausländer?
The correct form is der Ausländer for a male person or as a generic term (although the latter can be viewed critically). The feminine form is die Ausländerin, and the plural is die Ausländer.