der
Bräutigam
🤵 What exactly is a Bräutigam?
Der Bräutigam is a man on his wedding day or in the period shortly before it, after the engagement has taken place. He is the male partner in a Brautpaar (bridal couple).
The word is exclusively used with the article der, as it refers to a male person.
- Meaning: Man who is getting married or is about to.
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.
📊 Grammar in Detail: Der Bräutigam
The noun "Bräutigam" is masculine and belongs to the weak N-declension (schwache N-Deklination). This means it takes the ending -en in all cases except the nominative singular.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Bräutigam |
| Genitive | des | Bräutigamen |
| Dative | dem | Bräutigamen |
| Accusative | den | Bräutigamen |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Bräutigame |
| Genitive | der | Bräutigame |
| Dative | den | Bräutigamen |
| Accusative | die | Bräutigame |
Note: Although the N-declension dominates the singular, the most common plural form is "Bräutigame". The form "Bräutigamen" (strict N-declension also in plural) is less common.
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Bräutigam wartete nervös vor dem Altar.
(The groom waited nervously in front of the altar.) - Der Anzug des Bräutigamen war maßgeschneidert.
(The groom's suit was tailor-made.) - Die Braut gab dem Bräutigamen einen Kuss.
(The bride gave the groom a kiss.) - Alle Augen waren auf den Bräutigamen gerichtet.
(All eyes were focused on the groom.) - Die Bräutigame tauschten die Ringe aus.
(The grooms exchanged rings. - Note: This plural usage is less common, usually referring to multiple grooms e.g., in a double wedding.)
Context: How is Bräutigam used?
The word Bräutigam is specifically used in the context of weddings (Hochzeiten) and engagements (Verlobungen).
- Typical Situations: Wedding ceremony (Hochzeitszeremonie), wedding reception (Hochzeitsfeier), engagement period (Verlobungszeit), discussions about wedding plans.
- Counterpart: The female counterpart is "die Braut" (the bride). Together they form "das Brautpaar" (the bridal couple).
- Time Frame: Someone is usually called a Bräutigam from the engagement until shortly after the marriage ceremony. Afterwards, he is the "Ehemann" (husband).
- Formality: The word is standard German and used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing weddings.
💡 How to Remember 'der Bräutigam'
For the Article (der): Remember: A Bräutigam is a Man. Man is masculine in German, so it's der Bräutigam.
For the Meaning: Imagine the Braut (bride) saying "I do!" to her guy... her Bräutigam. The "-gam" part sounds ancient, like an old word for "man" or "guy". He's the bride's guy -> Bräutigam.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (Words with similar meaning):
- Heiratskandidat (marriage candidate, usually before the wedding)
- Zukünftiger (Ehemann) (future (husband), colloquial)
- Gemahl (spouse/husband, dated, more for husband after the wedding)
Antonyms (Opposites):
- die Braut (the bride - female counterpart)
- Junggeselle (bachelor - unmarried man)
- Geschiedener (divorced man)
- Witwer (widower)
Potential for Confusion:
- Trauzeuge: Best man; supports the groom at the wedding but isn't the one getting married.
- Ehemann: Husband; the term used after the marriage.
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der Pfarrer den Bräutigam: "Liebst du deine Braut von ganzem Herzen?" Antwortet der Bräutigam: "Ja, Herr Pfarrer, zumindest den Teil, der nicht meiner Bank gehört!"
EN: The priest asks the groom: "Do you love your bride with all your heart?" The groom replies: "Yes, Father, at least the part that doesn't belong to my bank!"
✒️ A Short Poem
DE:
Der Bräutigam, adrett und fein,
tritt bald ins Eheleben ein.
Das Herz klopft schnell, der Blick ist klar,
er wartet auf die Braut am Altar.
Ein neuer Abschnitt fängt nun an,
als Ehemann.
EN:
The groom, so dapper and so fine,
Will soon step into married life's design.
The heart beats fast, the gaze is clear,
He waits for the bride, the altar near.
A brand new chapter starts for this man,
As husband, part of life's new plan.
🤔 Who am I?
DE:
Ich trage meistens einen Anzug fein,
und steh' am Altar nicht allein.
Mеine Partnerin nennt man die Braut,
auf diesen Tag hab' ich gebaut.
Der Ring ist mein Versprechen dann,
ich bin der Mann, der heiraten kann.
Wer bin ich?
EN:
I usually wear a suit so fine,
And don't stand at the altar just in line.
My partner is called the bride, you see,
This special day was built by me.
The ring becomes my promise, true,
I am the man who says "I do".
Who am I?
... Der Bräutigam (The Groom)
🧩 Interesting Facts
- Word Origin (Wortherkunft): The word is composed of "Braut" (bride) and the Old High German "gomo" or Middle High German "gome", meaning "man" or "human". The umlaut "äu" developed later. A Bräutigam is literally the "bride's man".
- Related Words (Verwandte Wörter): The English word "groom" (in "bridegroom") shares the same Germanic origin.
- Traditions (Traditionen): There are many different traditions and customs surrounding the groom worldwide (e.g., the bachelor party - Junggesellenabschied).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Bräutigam?
The word "Bräutigam" refers to a groom (a man on his wedding day) and is always masculine. Therefore, the correct article is exclusively der Bräutigam.