der
Dekan
🎓 What exactly is a Dekan?
Der Dekan refers to a male person holding a leadership position, typically translated as a dean. The word originates from the Latin decānus, initially meaning a 'leader of ten (monks or soldiers)'. Today, it has specific meanings:
- In academia 🏛️ (im Hochschulwesen): The elected head of a faculty (Fakultät) or department (Fachbereich) at a university (Universität) or college (Hochschule). The Dekan represents the faculty internally and externally and manages its administration (e.g., der Dekan der Medizinischen Fakultät - the dean of the faculty of medicine).
- In a church context ⛪ (im kirchlichen Bereich): A senior cleric who leads a deanery (Dekanat - a district within a diocese or regional church) or a cathedral chapter (Domkapitel). He often has administrative and pastoral supervisory functions.
🚨 Note: The word Dekan is masculine. The female form is die Dekanin.
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.
-an → almost always masculine.
Caution: Most country names in German do not have an article and are neutral. You say "nach" plus country, like "nach Japan". But some countries have an article, for example "der Sudan". Then you say "in den" plus the country, like "in den Sudan".
🧐 Grammar: Der Dekan in Detail
The noun der Dekan is masculine and follows the weak N-declension pattern (schwache N-Deklination). This means it adds an "-en" ending in all cases (Fälle) except the nominative singular.
Declension Table
| Case (Kasus) | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Dekan | die Dekane |
| Genitive | des Dekanen | der Dekane |
| Dative | dem Dekanen | den Dekanen |
| Accusative | den Dekanen | die Dekane |
Example Sentences
- Der Dekan begrüßte die neuen Studierenden herzlich.
(The dean warmly welcomed the new students.) - Die Entscheidung des Dekanen wurde gestern bekannt gegeben.
(The dean's decision was announced yesterday.) - Wir sprachen lange mit dem Dekanen über die Zukunft der Fakultät.
(We spoke with the dean for a long time about the future of the faculty.) - Man hat den bisherigen Dekanen wiedergewählt.
(The previous dean was re-elected.) - Die Dekane der verschiedenen Universitäten trafen sich zu einer Konferenz.
(The deans of the various universities met for a conference.)
🗣️ How to use "Dekan"?
The use of the word Dekan heavily depends on the context:
- Academic context: Here, the Dekan is a high-ranking administrative figure within a faculty. One might speak of the Dekan der Juristischen Fakultät (dean of the law faculty), dem Dekanat (his office or the administrative unit), or a Dekanatskonferenz (deans' meeting). The Prodekan is his deputy.
- Ecclesiastical context: Here, the Dekan refers to a leading pastor or priest of a church district (Dekanat) or a cathedral chapter (Domkapitel). His duties are more administrative and supervisory within the church hierarchy.
⚠️ Don't confuse the Dekan (head of a faculty) with the Rektor or Präsident, who heads the entire university or college.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article
Think: Der is for der leader, der boss-man – der Dekan. He has authority, just like 'der' often marks male roles.
Meaning
A Dekan can scan (oversee) both the campus and the chapel plans. He's in charge in two different domains (university & church).
↔️ Synonyms & Contrasting Terms
Synonyms (depending on context)
- University: Fakultätsvorsteher (faculty head), Fachbereichsleiter (department head)
- Church: Dechant (dean), Kapitelältester (chapter elder), Vorsteher (head of a deanery)
- (Deputy): Prodekan (vice-dean)
Contrasting Terms / Roles
A similar-sounding but different term: Diakon (deacon - a church office below priest).
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Student den anderen: „Warum trägt der Dekan immer so einen ernsten Gesichtsausdruck?“
Antwortet der andere: „Wahrscheinlich, weil er ständig über die Fakultäten nachdenken muss – das zieht die Mundwinkel runter!“
Translation:
One student asks another: "Why does the dean always look so serious?"
The other replies: "Probably because he constantly has to think about the faculties – that pulls down the corners of his mouth!" (A pun, as 'Fakultäten' means faculties, but 'Falten' means wrinkles).
📜 A Poem about the Dekan
Der Dekan, ein weiser Mann,
Führt die Fakultät voran.
Mit Plan und auch mit Strategie,
So leitet und verwaltet sie.
Ob Kirche oder Hörsaal groß,
Er trägt Verantwortung, famos.
Des Dekanen Wort hat viel Gewicht,
Vergisst die Menschlichkeit doch nicht.
Translation:
The dean, a man of wisdom deep,
Leads the faculty, secrets to keep.
With strategy and thoughtful plan,
He guides and manages, as he can.
Be it church or lecture hall wide,
Responsibility, he takes in stride.
The dean's word carries solemn weight,
But doesn't forget the human state.
🧩 Who am I? A Riddle
Ich leite einen Teil der Uni-Welt,
Hab' Personal und auch oft Geld.
Manchmal trag ich auch ein Kreuz im Amt,
Bin in der Kirche wohlbekannt.
Mein Name klingt antik und stark,
Ich steh' an einer wichtigen Mark'.
Wer bin ich?
Translation:
I lead a part of the university sphere,
Manage staff and budgets held dear.
Sometimes I wear a cross in my role,
Known in the church, body and soul.
My name sounds ancient, firm, and grand,
I stand at a boundary in the land.
Who am I? (Solution: der Dekan / the dean)
💡 More Tidbits
Etymology: The word "Dekan" comes from the Latin word decānus, meaning "head of ten." Originally, it referred to a military rank (leader of ten soldiers) or the head of ten monks in a monastery.
Academic Hierarchy: At universities (Universitäten), the Dekan is often subordinate to the rectorate (Rektorat) or presidency (Präsidium) and works closely with the professors and students of his faculty.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Dekan?
The word "Dekan" is always masculine: der Dekan. It refers to the head of a university faculty or a church dignitary (a dean).