der  Chor

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/koːɐ̯/

🎤 What exactly is a *Chor*?

The German word der Chor has two main meanings:

1. A group of singers (a choir): A community of people who sing together, often in multiple parts (harmony). This is the most common meaning. Example: Der Schulchor probt für das Weihnachtskonzert. (The school choir is rehearsing for the Christmas concert.)
2. An architectural space (a chancel or choir): The elevated area in a church, usually at the eastern end, designated for the clergy and the altar. Example: Der gotische Chor der Kathedrale ist beeindruckend. (The Gothic chancel of the cathedral is impressive.)

Both meanings use the masculine article der.

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar Deep Dive: *Der Chor*

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

💡 Examples in Context

• Nominativ: Der Chor singt wunderschön. (The choir sings beautifully.)
• Genitiv: Der Klang des Chores erfüllte die Kirche. (The sound of the choir filled the church.)
• Dativ: Wir lauschten dem Chor andächtig. (We listened devoutly to the choir.)
• Akkusativ: Ich möchte den Chor gerne öfter hören. (I would like to hear the choir more often.)
• Plural Nominativ: Die Chöre der Stadt treffen sich zum Festival. (The city's choirs meet for the festival.)
• Plural Dativ: Der Dirigent dankte den Chören für ihre Teilnahme. (The conductor thanked the choirs for their participation.)

🗣️ How to Use "der Chor"

• Context: Singing Group: Used to describe any organized group of singers, from church choirs and school choirs to professional ensembles. Common phrases include: im Chor singen (to sing in a choir), einem Chor beitreten (to join a choir), Leiter eines Chores sein (to be the conductor/leader of a choir).
• Context: Architecture: Used specifically in relation to church architecture to denote the chancel or sanctuary area. It's a more technical term in this context. You might hear about the gotischen Chor (Gothic chancel), romanischen Chor (Romanesque chancel), or the Chorgestühl (choir stalls).
• Figurative Meaning: Sometimes *"Chor"* is used metaphorically to describe a group of people expressing an opinion in unison, e.g., ein Chor der Empörung (a chorus of outrage).

⚠️ Don't confuse der Chor with das Korps (a corps, military unit, or other organized body, e.g., student corps), although the pronunciation can be similar. *"Korps"* is neuter (das).

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Chor"

For the article 'der': Think of der Dirigent (the male conductor). Der Dirigent leads den Chor. Men (masculine -> der) often conduct or sing in choirs (tenor, bass parts).

For the meanings: Imagine a Chor (choir group) singing in the Chor (chancel/choir area of a church). One image, two meanings linked!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "Chor"

⚠️ Similar but Different Words

• Das Korps: Pronounced [kɔʁ] or [koːɐ̯] - A corps, organised body (e.g., *Studentenkorps* - student association, *Freikorps* - free corps). Sounds similar, but different meaning and neuter gender (das).
• Die Kür: Pronounced [kyːɐ̯] - Freestyle routine in sports like figure skating or gymnastics.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Warum summen Mönche im Klostergarten?
Weil sie nicht im Chor sind!

English: Why do monks hum in the monastery garden?
Because they aren't in the choir! (Also a pun on 'in chorus' or 'together')

📜 A Poem about the *Chor*

German:
Der Chor erklingt, so hell und klar,
Stimmen vereint, wunderbar.
Ob in der Kirche, alt und hehr,
Als Sängerschar, gefällt es sehr.
Der Chor, er füllt den Raum mit Klang,
Ein vielstimmiger Gesang.

English Translation:
The choir resounds, so bright and clear,
Voices united, wonderfully dear.
Whether in church, ancient and grand,
As a group of singers, across the land.
The choir, it fills the space with sound,
A many-voiced song profound.

🧩 Riddle Time

German:
Ich habe viele Stimmen, doch keinen Mund.
Ich steh' in Kirchen oft auf heiligem Grund.
Manchmal bin ich ein Raum, manchmal Gesang.
Was bin ich, sag es schnell, sei nicht bang!

English Translation:
I have many voices, but no mouth.
I often stand in churches on holy ground.
Sometimes I am a room, sometimes a song.
What am I, say it quickly, don't be wrong!

Solution: Der Chor (The choir / chancel)

ℹ️ More about *der Chor*

• Word Origin: The word "Chor" comes from the Greek word χορός (choros), which originally meant a dancing place, then a round dance with singing, and finally the group of dancers and singers itself. It entered German via the Latin chorus.
• Types of Choirs (Chorarten): There are many different types of choirs in German, e.g., gemischter Chor (mixed choir), Männerchor (male choir), Frauenchor (female choir), Kinderchor (children's choir), Jugendchor (youth choir), Gospelchor (gospel choir), Kirchenchor (church choir), Kammerchor (chamber choir), Oratorienchor (oratorio choir), Opernchor (opera chorus), etc.
• Choir Stalls (Das Chorgestühl): In the architectural Chor (chancel), you often find the intricately carved Chorgestühl, the seating benches for the clergy or monks/nuns.