der
Berichterstatter
🗣️ What does "der Berichterstatter" mean?
Der Berichterstatter is a male person who is assigned to report on a specific event, meeting, topic, or investigation. The main task is to collect, prepare, and present information objectively.
You often find Berichterstatter in the following contexts:
- 📰 Journalism: People who report on events for newspapers, television, or radio (often synonymous with Reporter or Korrespondent).
- 🏛️ Parliament/Politics: Members of parliament who prepare and present a report on a draft law or topic for a committee or the plenary session (rapporteur).
- 🏢 Organizations/Conferences: Individuals who document and summarize the progress and results of meetings or conferences.
💡 The feminine form is die Berichterstatterin.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-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 "Berichterstatter" in Detail
The word "Berichterstatter" is a masculine noun. It belongs to the weak declension (n-declension). This means it adds the ending "-n" in all cases except the nominative singular.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Berichterstatter |
| Genitive | des | Berichterstattern |
| Dative | dem | Berichterstattern |
| Accusative | den | Berichterstattern |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Berichterstatter |
| Genitive | der | Berichterstatter |
| Dative | den | Berichterstattern |
| Accusative | die | Berichterstatter |
⚠️ Note the n-declension in the singular (Genitive, Dative, Accusative) and Dative Plural!
Example Sentences
- Der Berichterstatter legte dem Ausschuss seinen Bericht vor.
(The reporter/rapporteur presented his report to the committee.) - Wir warten auf die Stellungnahme des Berichterstatters. (Genitive Singular)
(We are waiting for the statement of the reporter/rapporteur.) - Ich habe mit dem zuständigen Berichterstattern gesprochen. (Dative Singular)
(I spoke with the responsible reporter/rapporteur.) - Die Zeitung schickte ihren besten Berichterstattern zum Ereignis. (Accusative Singular)
(The newspaper sent its best reporter to the event.) - Die Berichterstatter aus verschiedenen Ländern trafen sich zur Konferenz. (Nominative Plural)
(The reporters/rapporteurs from different countries met for the conference.) - Man dankte den Berichterstattern für ihre Arbeit. (Dative Plural)
(The reporters/rapporteurs were thanked for their work.)
📝 When to use "Berichterstatter"?
"Berichterstatter" is mostly used in formal or professional contexts.
- Journalism: Here it is often interchangeable with Reporter or Korrespondent, although "Berichterstatter" sometimes emphasizes a more neutral, factual role. A Korrespondent often reports from abroad or a specific region.
- Politics/Administration: In parliamentary or administrative settings, "Berichterstatter" is the specific term for the person officially tasked with creating and presenting a report (e.g., in the European Parliament - the rapporteur).
- Conferences/Meetings: Someone who takes minutes or summarizes results can also be called a Berichterstatter, although terms like Protokollführer (minute-taker) are also common here.
In everyday language, Reporter is more common for journalistic reporting. "Berichterstatter" often sounds more official.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Remembering the Article: Nouns ending in -er that denote a male person are usually masculine: der Lehrer (teacher), der Bäcker (baker), der Berichterstatter. Think: her reports -> der Berichterstatter.
Remembering the Meaning: Think of the parts: A Bericht (report) is erstattet (submitted/reported) by... der Berichterstatter (the one who submits the report)!
🔄 Synonyms and Opposites
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Reporter: Often used in a journalistic context, sometimes focusing on gathering news on site.
- Korrespondent: (Correspondent) A reporter who is often specialized (e.g., foreign correspondent) or reports for a specific organization.
- Referent: (Speaker/Presenter) Person who gives a presentation or report, often in a specific field or committee.
- Chronist: (Chronicler) Someone who records events, often with a historical focus.
Similar but potentially misleading words:
😂 A little Joke
Fragt der Chefredakteur den neuen Berichterstatter: "Haben Sie schon Erfahrung mit Eilmeldungen?"
Sagt der Berichterstatter: "Klar, ich habe meiner Frau mal erzählt, dass ich zu spät zum Abendessen komme."
(The editor-in-chief asks the new reporter: "Do you have experience with breaking news?"
The reporter says: "Sure, I once told my wife I'd be late for dinner.")
📜 Poem about the Berichterstatter
Der Berichterstatter, schnell und wach,
Notiert die Fakten, Tag für Tag.
Ob Politik, ob Sport, ob Streit,
Er bringt die Wahrheit ans Licht der Zeit.
Mit Block und Stift, oft auch digital,
Erfasst er Worte, Mimik, Zahl.
Sein Ziel: ein klarer, fairer Bericht,
Erfüllt gewissenhaft seine Pflicht.
(The reporter, quick and alert,
Notes down the facts, day by day.
Be it politics, sports, or strife,
He brings the truth to the light of time.)
(With pad and pen, often digital too,
He captures words, expressions, numbers through.
His goal: a clear and fair report,
Fulfills his duty, of conscientious sort.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich sammle Worte, groß und klein,
Und bring' sie in die Welt hinein.
Im Parlament, da kenn' ich mich aus,
Bring' den Bericht ins Plenum 'raus.
Im Journalismus bin ich oft zu seh'n,
Will stets objektiv gescheh'n.
Wer bin ich?
... Der Berichterstatter
(I gather words, both big and small,
And bring them to the world for all.
In parliament, I know my way,
Present the report in plenary display.
In journalism, I'm often seen,
Striving always to be objective and keen.
Who am I?
... The reporter / rapporteur (Der Berichterstatter))
🧩 Word Building Blocks & Origin
The word "Berichterstatter" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Bericht: report, information, communication about an event.
- erstatten: An older but still current verb in this context meaning "to report", "to file", "to submit" (e.g., Anzeige erstatten - to file a complaint, Bericht erstatten - to submit a report).
- -er: Suffix indicating a (usually male) person performing the action.
So, it literally describes a person who submits/delivers a report.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Berichterstatter?
The word "Berichterstatter" is always masculine. The correct article is der Berichterstatter. It refers to a male person who reports (e.g., a journalist, a parliamentary rapporteur). The feminine form is "die Berichterstatterin".