der  Bergmann

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbɛʁkman/

⛏️ What does "der Bergmann" mean?

Der Bergmann (plural: die Bergleute or die Bergmänner) is a man who works professionally in Bergbau (mining). His main task is the extraction of natural resources like Kohle (coal), Erze (ores), Salze (salts), or other minerals unter Tage (underground, in a mine).

It is a masculine noun. The female form is die Bergfrau (less common) or more specifically die Bergarbeiterin (female mine worker).

⚠️ Note: The plural die Bergleute is more common and often used as a more gender-neutral term for a group of miners (men and women), although Bergmann itself is specifically masculine. Die Bergmänner explicitly refers only to male miners.

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar of "der Bergmann" in Detail

The noun Bergmann is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

• Der Bergmann fährt jeden Morgen in den Stollen ein.
  (The miner enters the gallery every morning.)
• Die harte Arbeit des Bergmanns verdient Respekt.
  (The hard work of the miner deserves respect.)
• Der alte Hut gehörte einst dem Bergmann aus dem Nachbardorf.
  (The old hat once belonged to the miner from the neighboring village.)
• Siehst du den Bergmann dort drüben mit der Lampe?
  (Do you see the miner over there with the lamp?)
• Die Bergleute feierten das Ende ihrer Schicht.
  (The miners celebrated the end of their shift.)
• Das Museum ehrt das Andenken der Bergleute.
  (The museum honors the memory of the miners.)
• Die Kantine war voll mit hungrigen Bergleuten.
  (The canteen was full of hungry miners.)
• Man erzählte sich Geschichten über die Bergmänner von früher.
  (People told stories about the miners of the past.)

Usage in Context: When to use "Bergmann"?

The term Bergmann is primarily used to describe the profession of a person who works or worked in mining. It often carries strong cultural and historical connotations, especially in regions with a long mining tradition (e.g., the Ruhrgebiet, Erzgebirge, Saarland in Germany).

• Job Title: Sein Großvater war Bergmann auf der Zeche Zollverein. (His grandfather was a miner at the Zollverein colliery.)
• Cultural Context: Das Lied erzählt vom Leben der Bergleute. (The song tells of the life of the miners.)
• Symbolically: Der Bergmann often symbolizes hard work, camaraderie, and connection to the earth.

In modern language, the more general term Bergarbeiter / Bergarbeiterin (mine worker) is also often used and may be perceived as more neutral. Kumpel is an informal, comradely term for a miner among colleagues.

💡 Mnemonics for "der Bergmann"

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of der Mann (the man). A Bergmann is a man, so it's der Bergmann.
2. Meaning Mnemonic: A Bergmann works in a Berg (mountain). He's a Mann (man) who gets resources from the mountain.

Imagine a strong Mann hitting a Berg with a pickaxe – that's der Bergmann.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Potential Confusion:

• Bergsteiger: (Mountaineer, climber) - Climbs mountains (sport/leisure), doesn't work inside them.
• Höhlenforscher (Speläologe): (Caver, speleologist) - Explores caves, but doesn't extract resources.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der eine Bergmann den anderen: "Warum trägst du beim Arbeiten unter Tage immer einen Regenschirm?"
(One miner asks the other: "Why do you always carry an umbrella when working underground?")

Antwortet der andere: "Man weiß ja nie, wann ein Wolkenbruch kommt!"
(The other replies: "You never know when a downpour might happen!")

✒️ Poem about the Miner

Tief im Berg, wo Schatten wohnen,
(Deep in the mountain, where shadows dwell,)
Schafft der Bergmann, kennt die Zonen.
(Works the miner, knows the zones well.)
Mit Helm und Licht, bei Staub und Ruß,
(With helmet and light, midst dust and soot,)
Bringt er das Erz ans Tageslicht, ein Muss.
(He brings the ore to daylight, a must.)
Sein Ruf "Glück auf!", ein starker Klang,
(His call "Good luck!", a strong sound,)
Ein Leben lang, ein harter Gang.
(Lifelong, a hard path is found.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich trage Helm und Grubenlicht,
(I wear a helmet and a miner's lamp,)
Verrichte Arbeit tief und dicht.
(Perform work deep and damp.)
Ich hole Kohle, Salz und Erz,
(I get coal, salt, and ore,)
Empfinde Stolz, doch auch oft Schmerz.
(Feel pride, but also often sore.)
Mein Gruß heißt kurz und knapp "Glück auf!"
(My greeting is short and crisp "Good luck!")
Wer bin ich wohl, im Lebenslauf?
(Who might I be, in life's long truck?)

Solution: Der Bergmann (The Miner)

🌐 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word Bergmann is a compound noun, composed of:

• Berg: (Mountain/Mine) - Refers to the place of work (in the mountain/mine).
• Mann: (Man) - Refers to the (traditionally male) person performing this work.

Cultural Significance:

The Bergmann and mining (Bergbau) have left a deep cultural and social mark on many regions in Germany and worldwide. This is reflected in songs (e.g., Steigerlied), traditions (miners' parades - Bergparaden), symbols (hammer and pick - Schlägel und Eisen ⚒️), and the strong sense of community (Kameradschaft) among miners.