der
Burger
🍔 What exactly is a 'Burger'?
The word der Burger is a loanword from English and primarily refers to a specific dish in German: a hamburger. Typically, this consists of a sliced bun (often called a Bun) containing a grilled patty of ground meat (Patty), lettuce, sauces, and other ingredients like cheese, onions, or tomatoes.
It's a very common word in everyday language, especially in the context of fast food and restaurants.
🚨 Attention, risk of confusion: The word Burger sounds similar to the German word der Bürger (with an umlaut 'ü'), which means 'citizen'. However, der Burger (the food) is spelled with a 'u' and pronounced without the umlaut. The article is 'der' in both cases.
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.
The Grammar of 'der Burger' 🧐
The noun der Burger is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der | Burger |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den | Burger |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Burger |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Burgers |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Burger |
| Accusative | die | Burger |
| Dative | den | Burgern |
| Genitive | der | Burger |
Example Sentences
- Nominative: Der Burger sieht lecker aus.
(The burger looks delicious.) - Accusative: Ich hätte gern den Burger mit Käse.
(I would like the burger with cheese.) - Dative: Mit dem Burger war ich sehr zufrieden.
(I was very satisfied with the burger.) - Genitive: Der Geschmack des Burgers war ausgezeichnet.
(The taste of the burger was excellent.) - Plural Nominative: Die Burger sind heute im Angebot.
(The burgers are on offer today.) - Plural Dative: Wir wurden mit leckeren Burgern verwöhnt.
(We were treated to delicious burgers.)
When and how to use 'der Burger'? 🤔
Der Burger is used almost exclusively in the context of food. You'll find the word:
- On menus in restaurants and snack bars (Imbisse).
- In recipes (Kochrezepte).
- In conversations about food, preferences, or cooking.
- In advertising for food products or restaurants.
Although there are German words like die Frikadelle or die Bulette that describe a fried meat patty, der Burger specifically refers to the dish served in a bun, often modelled after the American style. A Frikadelle is usually served without a bun, often as part of a traditional German meal.
Examples of typical word combinations:
- Cheeseburger (Käseburger)
- Veggie-Burger (vegetarischer Burger)
- Burger restaurant (Burger-Restaurant)
- homemade burger (hausgemachter Burger)
How to remember 'der Burger' 💡
Article Mnemonic
Imagine a typically large, masculine eater (ein Esser) enthusiastically biting into a huge burger. He needs the burger ('den Burger' in Accusative). Masculine -> der Burger.
Meaning Mnemonic
The word Burger sounds almost exactly like the English word. If you know the English word, you know the meaning in German – it's the same delicious thing in a bun! 🍔 -> Burger.
Similar and Opposite Terms 🔄
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Der Hamburger: This is practically a full synonym; "Burger" is often used as a short form.
- Das Hackfleischbrötchen: A very descriptive but rarely used alternative (literally 'ground meat bun').
- Regional/Similar: Die Frikadelle / Die Bulette / Das Fleischpflanzerl: These refer to the fried meat patty itself, usually without the typical burger bun and American-style toppings. They are not direct synonyms for the dish 'Burger'.
Potential Confusion
- Der Bürger: As mentioned, this means 'citizen' and is spelled with 'ü'. Don't mix them up!
A little Burger Joke 😂
German: Fragt der Kellner: "Wie fanden Sie den Burger?"
Antwortet der Gast: "Rein zufällig, als ich den Salat zur Seite geschoben habe!"
English Translation: The waiter asks: "How did you find the burger?"
The guest replies: "Purely by chance, when I pushed the lettuce aside!"
Ode to the Burger 🎶
German:
Oh, Burger, rund und fein,
mit Käse, Soße, obendrauf ein Schein
von Zwiebelringen, kross und gut,
du machst uns allen frischen Mut.
Der Hunger meldet sich gar laut,
hast du dich erst auf ihn getraut.
Im Brötchen weich, das Fleisch so zart,
ein Meisterwerk auf deine Art!
English Translation:
Oh, Burger, round and fine,
with cheese, sauce, topped with a shine
of onion rings, crisp and good,
you give us all fresh fortitude.
The hunger makes itself known loud,
once you've dared to face the crowd.
In a soft bun, the meat so tender,
a masterpiece of its own gender (or: style)!
Little Burger Riddle 🤔
German:
Ich hab ein Brötchen oben, eins unten dran,
dazwischen Fleisch, so viel ich kann.
Salat und Käse dürfen nicht fehlen,
Fast-Food-Könige mich wählen.
Mein Artikel ist männlich, sag an,
wer oder was bin ich dann?
English Translation:
I have a bun on top, one below,
meat in between, as much as I can stow.
Lettuce and cheese must be there too,
fast-food kings choose me, it's true.
My article is masculine, tell me man,
who or what am I then?
Solution: Der Burger
More about 'der Burger' 🍔🤓
Word Origin
The word Burger is a shortening of the English word Hamburger. The name Hamburger is said to derive from the city of Hamburg, Germany, although the exact origin story of the dish is disputed and often linked to German immigrants in the USA.
Cultural Significance
The burger has become a global symbol of fast food and American food culture, but it has long established its place in Germany as well, appearing in fast-food chains and as more upscale versions in many restaurants.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Burger?
The word for the popular dish in a bun is masculine. The correct form is: der Burger (singular) and die Burger (plural).