der
Begleiter
🚶♂️ What does 'der Begleiter' mean?
Der Begleiter is a male person (or less commonly a thing or concept) that accompanies someone or something. It refers to someone who is with another person, often for companionship, support, or protection.
- Main meaning: A person who goes somewhere or spends time with another person (companion, escort).
- Figurative meaning: Something that regularly occurs together with something else (e.g., a symptom as a Begleiter of an illness).
⚠️ Attention: The word is masculine. The feminine form is 'die Begleiterin'.
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 of 'der Begleiter' in Detail
The noun 'Begleiter' is masculine and follows the N-declension (weak masculine nouns) in the plural, but also adds an 's' in the genitive singular.
Declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Begleiter |
| Genitive | des | Begleiters |
| Dative | dem | Begleiter |
| Accusative | den | Begleiter |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Begleiter |
| Genitive | der | Begleiter |
| Dative | den | Begleitern |
| Accusative | die | Begleiter |
Example Sentences (Beispielsätze):
- Er war mein treuer Begleiter auf der langen Reise.
(He was my loyal companion on the long journey.) - Sie suchte einen Begleiter für den Opernabend.
(She was looking for an escort for the opera evening.) - Die Polizei stellte dem Zeugen einen Begleiter zur Seite.
(The police provided the witness with an escort/companion.) - Hohes Fieber ist oft ein Begleiter der Grippe.
(High fever is often an accompaniment/symptom of the flu.) - Die Begleiter der Bergsteigergruppe warteten am Basislager.
(The companions/escorts of the mountaineering group waited at the base camp.)
🗺️ How to use 'Begleiter'?
'Der Begleiter' is often used in social or travel-related contexts.
- Social: As a partner for an event (Tanzbegleiter - dancing partner, Opernbegleiter - opera escort).
- Travel/On the go: As someone who travels along (Reisebegleiter - travel companion).
- Protection/Support: As an escort or someone providing assistance (persönlicher Begleiter - personal companion/escort).
- Abstract/Medical: Phenomena that occur together with others (ständiger Begleiter - constant companion, Symptom als Begleiter - symptom as an accompaniment).
Compared to 'Freund' (friend), 'Begleiter' emphasizes the function of being together on a journey or present on a specific occasion, not necessarily a deep personal bond.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article: Think of 'DER' gentleman who accompanies (begleitet) you. Traditionally, men (masculine = der) were often seen as companions or protectors.
Meaning: The word contains 'gleiten' (to glide). A Begleiter 'glides' along with you through life or on a trip. Think of 'begleiten' as 'to go lighter' with someone.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
- Alleinstehender / Einzelgänger: (single person / loner) person who is alone.
- Gegner / Feind: (opponent / enemy) person in opposition.
- Führer (in some contexts): (leader, guide) person who leads rather than just accompanies.
Similar words: 'Begleitung' (die) - refers to the act of accompanying or the group of companions.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Hatten Sie einen Begleiter bei Ihrem Einbruch?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Nein, Herr Richter, nur einen Schraubenzieher!"
(The judge asks the defendant: "Did you have a companion [Begleiter] during your burglary?"
The defendant answers: "No, Your Honor, only a screwdriver!")
📜 A Poem about the Companion
Ein treuer Begleiter, an deiner Seit',
geht mit dir durch Freud und durch Leid.
Ob Sonne scheint, ob Regen fällt,
er ist der Anker in der Welt.
Auf Wegen fern, in dunkler Nacht,
hat er stets schützend dich bewacht.
Ein guter Geist, ein wahrer Freund,
mit dem das Leben leichter scheint.
(A loyal companion, by your side,
Walks with you through joy and through tide.
Whether sun shines, or rain does fall,
He is the anchor through it all.
On distant paths, in darkest night,
He always watched you, holding tight.
A kindly spirit, a true friend,
With whom life seems easier to tend.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich gehe mit dir, doch hab' kein Bein,
bin oft willkommen, selten allein.
Mal schütze ich, mal leist' ich nur Gesellschaft fein.
Wer bin ich, sag es mir, sei nicht gemein!
(I walk with you, but have no leg,
I'm often welcome, seldom alone, I beg.
Sometimes I protect, sometimes I'm just company fine.
Who am I, tell me, don't be unkind!)
Solution: Der Begleiter (The companion)
💡 Other Information
Word Formation (Wortbildung): The word 'Begleiter' derives from the verb 'begleiten' (to accompany). It consists of the prefix 'be-', the stem 'gleit' (from 'gleiten' - to glide, or originally 'leiten' - to lead) and the suffix '-er', which denotes a male person performing the action.
Feminine Form: die Begleiterin
Related Words: Begleitung (die) - accompaniment, escort (group); begleiten (verb) - to accompany.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Begleiter?
The noun 'Begleiter' is masculine. The correct article is der Begleiter. The feminine form is 'die Begleiterin'.