der  Besucher

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈzuːxɐ/

🚶 What exactly is a 'Besucher'?

Der Besucher (plural: die Besucher) refers to a male person who visits someone or something. This could be a place (e.g., a museum, a city, a website) or a person's home.

• Guest in a house: Someone who is invited or visits someone privately.
• Attendee/Spectator: Someone who attends an event, exhibition, concert, or visits a tourist attraction.
• Website User: Someone who accesses a website.

🚨 Important: 'Der Besucher' is the masculine form. The feminine form is die Besucherin (plural: die Besucherinnen). Often, the plural 'die Besucher' is used generically for mixed groups, although 'Besucherinnen und Besucher' or 'Besuchende' (visitors, gender-neutral participle) are becoming increasingly common.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Besucher

The noun 'Besucher' is a masculine noun. It belongs to the weak N-declension.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Example Sentences

1. Nominative Singular: Der Besucher stand vor der Tür. (The visitor stood at the door.)
2. Accusative Singular: Wir begrüßten den Besuchern herzlich. (We greeted the visitor warmly.)
3. Dative Singular: Ich gab dem Besuchern einen Stadtplan. (I gave the visitor a city map.)
4. Genitive Singular: Das ist die Tasche des Besuchern. (That is the visitor's bag.)
5. Nominative Plural: Die Besucher waren beeindruckt. (The visitors were impressed.)
6. Dative Plural: Wir dankten den Besuchern für ihr Kommen. (We thanked the visitors for coming.)

💡 How to Use 'Besucher'?

'Besucher' is a very common word in German.

• Public Places: You talk about Besucher in museums, parks, zoos, at trade fairs, concerts, or sporting events. (e.g., „Die Zahl der Museumsbesucher ist gestiegen.“ - The number of museum visitors has increased.)
• Private Sphere: When someone is visited at home, you can call them a Besucher, although the word Gast (guest) is often preferred here as it sounds warmer. („Wir haben heute Abend Besuch.“ - We have visitors tonight. - implies Besucher/Gäste)
• Digital Space: Users of websites are also called Besucher. (e.g., „Unsere Webseite hatte gestern 1000 Besucher.“ - Our website had 1000 visitors yesterday.)

Difference to 'Gast':

Although often interchangeable, 'Gast' has a warmer, more personal connotation. You are more likely to be a Gast at friends' houses or in a restaurant where you are served. A Besucher can be more neutral, e.g., a visitor to a public authority or a website.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article 'der'

Think of a man (der Mann) coming for a visit (Besuch) – he is 'der Besucher'. Since 'Besucher' refers to a person, and the default for a male person is 'der', it fits.

Remembering the Meaning

The word contains 'Besuch' (visit). A 'Besucher' is someone who makes a 'Besuch'. Easy, right? 😉 It sounds a bit like 'be-seeker' - someone who comes to seek something out (like information in a museum or a friend at home).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Besucher

⚠️ Caution: Not everyone present somewhere is a 'Besucher'. An Mitarbeiter (employee) is not a visitor at their workplace.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Gastgeber seinen Besucher: "Möchten Sie vielleicht noch ein Stück Kuchen?" Antwortet der Besucher: "Ach nein, danke, ich bin schon so satt, ich kann kaum noch 'Papp' sagen." Gastgeber: "Na gut, dann eben nicht." Besucher: "...Papp!"

English Translation: The host asks his visitor: "Would you perhaps like another piece of cake?" The visitor replies: "Oh no, thank you, I'm already so full, I can barely say 'Papp' (onomatopoeia for being full, like 'stuffed')." Host: "Alright, then not." Visitor: "...Papp!"

📜 A Poem About Visitors

German:
Der Besucher klopft an die Tür,
Bringt Freude mit, das glaub mir.
Ob kurz, ob lang, er ist willkommen hier,
Ein Lächeln teilt er gern mit dir.
Im Museum, leis und still,
Als Gast, der gern verweilen will.

English Translation:
The visitor knocks at the door,
Brings joy along, believe me for sure.
Whether short or long, they're welcome here,
A smile they gladly share with dear.
In the museum, quiet and still,
As a guest who likes to stay at will.

🤔 Little Riddle

German:
Ich komme zu dir, doch wohne nicht hier.
Ich schaue mir an, was neu ist für mir.
Im Museum, im Zoo, auf der Webseite – wer bin ich, bitte sehr?
Mal bin ich ein Gast, mal schau ich nur her.

Lösung: Der Besucher

English Translation:
I come to you, but I don't live here.
I look at what is new to me, my dear.
In the museum, the zoo, on the website – who am I, if you please?
Sometimes I'm a guest, sometimes I just browse with ease.

Solution: The visitor (Der Besucher)

🧩 Additional Information

Word Composition:

The word 'Besucher' derives from the verb besuchen (to visit). The suffix -er typically denotes a (male) person performing the action of the verb.

Cultural Notes:

In Germany, it's customary to offer visitors something to drink (etwas zu trinken anbieten). For longer visits or when invited, guests often bring a small gift (ein kleines Gastgeschenk), such as flowers, wine, or chocolates.