der  Duden

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈduːdn̩/

📖 What exactly is "der Duden"?

Der Duden (masculine, article der) is the authoritative and most famous dictionary of German orthography (Rechtschreibung). It is published by the Bibliographisches Institut and named after its founder, Konrad Duden (1829–1911).

In common usage, "der Duden" often refers not only to the specific spelling dictionary ("Die deutsche Rechtschreibung") but also to:

• The entire Duden series (Duden-Reihe), which also includes dictionaries on grammar, style, foreign words, synonyms, etc.
• The Duden editorial team (Dudenredaktion) as an institution that decides on doubtful cases in the German language.
• The recommended spelling or grammar rule itself ("Das steht so im Duden." – That's how it is in the Duden.).

⚠️ It's a proper noun, so it's capitalized and has the fixed article der.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Duden"

"Duden" is a masculine proper noun. It is generally used only in the singular, usually with the definite article "der".

📝 Example Sentences

1. Ich schlage das Wort im Duden nach.
   I'll look the word up in the Duden.
2. Die Regeln des Duden sind für viele verbindlich.
   The rules of the Duden are binding for many.
3. Hast du den neuen Duden schon gesehen?
   Have you seen the new Duden yet?
4. Laut Duden ist diese Schreibweise korrekt.
   According to the Duden, this spelling is correct.
5. In der Bibliothek fanden wir mehrere alte Ausgaben des Duden.
   In the library, we found several old editions of the Duden.

💡 How "der Duden" is Used

The term "Duden" is used in various ways:

• As a reference work: „Schlag das mal im Duden nach!“ – Look that up in the Duden! – Refers to the spelling dictionary.
• As an authority: „Laut Duden ist das richtig.“ – According to the Duden, that's correct. – Here, the Duden symbolically represents the official language rules.
• For the publisher/editorial team: „Der Duden empfiehlt folgende Schreibweise.“ – The Duden recommends the following spelling. – Refers to the Duden editorial team.
• For a copy of the book: „Mein alter Duden fällt schon auseinander.“ – My old Duden is already falling apart.

Compared to a generic Wörterbuch (dictionary), "Duden" implies greater authority and a focus on standard German language, especially orthography and grammar.

🧠 Mnemonics for Duden

For the article: Think of the founder: Konrad Duden. Konrad is a male first name, hence der Duden.

For the meaning: If you're puzzling over spelling and think "Du denkst nach?" (Are you thinking?), der Duden helps you. (This is a bit of a German pun.) Alternatively: When in doubt, consult den Duden.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar words (potential confusion):

• Dudelsack: Bagpipes (der Dudelsack).
• Dudeln: (verb, colloquial) to play music or speak monotonously.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: „Wer kann mir einen Satz mit 'rechtschaffen' bilden?“ Meldet sich Fritzchen: „Mein Vater bog rechtschaffen ab.“ Der Lehrer: „Das ist nicht ganz richtig.“ Fritzchen: „Doch! Laut Duden bedeutet 'rechtschaffen' korrekt!“

Translation:
The teacher asks: "Who can make a sentence with 'rechtschaffen' (righteous/upstanding)?" Little Fritz says: "My father turned 'rechtschaffen'." The teacher: "That's not quite right." Fritz: "Yes, it is! According to the Duden, 'rechtschaffen' means correctly!" (A pun: 'rechts schaffen' can also mean 'to manage to turn right').

✍️ Poem about the Duden

Ist ein Wort dir unbekannt,
Oder die Schrift nicht anerkannt?
Greifst du schnell und klug zur Hand,
Zum Duden, wohlbekannt im Land.

Der weist den Weg durch Grammatik,
Gibt Klarheit statt nur Hektik.
Ob Komma, Punkt, ob Groß, ob Klein,
So soll die deutsche Sprache sein!

Translation:
If a word is unknown to you,
Or the spelling not approved true?
You quickly reach, with wisdom's hand,
For the Duden, known throughout the land.

Der shows the way through grammar's maze,
Brings clarity instead of hectic daze.
Whether comma, period, case high or low,
That's how the German language should go!

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe viele Worte, doch keine Stimme.
Ich zeige dir Regeln, doch ich bestimme.
Mein Name ehrt einen Mann, klug und gewandt.
Ich bin in Deutschland als Ratgeber bekannt.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I have many words, but no voice.
I show you rules, yet I decide (the standard).
My name honors a man, clever and skilled.
I am known in Germany as an advisor.

Who am I?

Solution: Der Duden

ℹ️ Other Information

• Konrad Duden: He was a grammar school teacher who published his „Vollständiges Orthographisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache“ (Complete Orthographic Dictionary of the German Language), the original Duden, in 1880. His goal was a uniform German spelling system.
• The Duden Volumes: Today, there is a 12-volume Duden series covering various aspects of the German language (e.g., Volume 1: Spelling, Volume 4: Grammar, Volume 9: Proper and Good German).
• Official Rulebook: The Duden spelling dictionary was long considered the de facto standard. Since the German orthography reform of 1996 (and later adjustments), the official rulebook is authoritative, although the Duden implements it and often provides additional recommendations.
• Online Duden: Today, the Duden is also comprehensively available online and is continuously updated. (duden.de)