der
Ehrenbürger
📜 What exactly is an Ehrenbürger?
Der Ehrenbürger is a person upon whom a special honor (Ehre) is bestowed by a municipality, city, or sometimes even a state: the Ehrenbürgerwürde (honorary citizenship status) or the Ehrenbürgerrecht (honorary citizenship right).
This distinction is typically awarded to individuals who have rendered outstanding services to the common good. These merits can be in political, scientific, cultural, social, or economic fields.
It is primarily an honorary title (Ehrentitel). It generally does not come with the special rights associated with regular citizenship (e.g., the right to vote), but depending on the municipality, it might include certain privileges (e.g., free admission to city facilities).
The female form is die Ehrenbürgerin.
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.
-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.
🧐 Grammar: The Declension of 'Ehrenbürger'
The noun 'Ehrenbürger' is masculine and belongs to the weak N-declension. This means it takes the ending '-en' in all cases except the nominative singular.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Ehrenbürger |
| Genitive | des | Ehrenbürgern |
| Dative | dem | Ehrenbürgern |
| Accusative | den | Ehrenbürgern |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ehrenbürger |
| Genitive | der | Ehrenbürger |
| Dative | den | Ehrenbürgern |
| Accusative | die | Ehrenbürger |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der berühmte Wissenschaftler wurde zum Ehrenbürger seiner Heimatstadt ernannt.
(The famous scientist was appointed honorary citizen of his hometown.) - Die Urkunde des neuen Ehrenbürgern wurde feierlich überreicht.
(The certificate of the new honorary citizen was formally presented.) - Man gratulierte dem verdienten Ehrenbürgern herzlich.
(They warmly congratulated the deserving honorary citizen.) - Die Stadt ehrte den großzügigen Spender als Ehrenbürgern.
(The city honored the generous donor as an honorary citizen.) - Viele Ehrenbürger waren bei der Zeremonie anwesend.
(Many honorary citizens were present at the ceremony.)
🗣️ How to use 'Ehrenbürger'?
The term 'Ehrenbürger' is used in official and formal contexts, especially concerning civic or state honors.
- Conferral: One speaks of the Ehrenbürgerwürde being verliehen (conferred) or someone being ernannt (appointed) as an Ehrenbürger.
- Context: Often found in reports on city council meetings, local news, ceremonial occasions, or biographies of significant personalities.
- Distinction: It's important to distinguish it from the regular 'Bürger' (citizen with full rights and duties) and 'Ehrenmitglied' (honorary member of a club or organization).
- Revocation: In rare cases, the honorary citizenship can also be aberkannt (revoked) if the person proves unworthy.
Typical recipients are often long-serving mayors, important artists, scientists, or patrons (Mäzene).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
For the article 'der': Think of a respected DER-elict (okay, maybe not derelict, but a distinguished man!) receiving the honor. Historically, honors often went to men. So: der Ehrenbürger.
For the meaning: Break down the word: Ehren (honor) + Bürger (citizen). It’s literally a citizen who receives honor. An 'Honor-Citizen'.
🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms, and Similar Terms
Synonyms
- Inhaber des Ehrenbürgerrechts (holder of the honorary citizenship right)
- (rare) Honoris causa Bürger (honoris causa citizen)
Direct synonyms are scarce as it's a specific title.
Antonyms
- Persona non grata (unwelcome person)
- (figuratively) Geächteter (outlaw, outcast)
There are no direct antonyms, as it relates to an honor. The terms listed describe the opposite of esteem and welcome.
⚠️ Similar, but distinct terms
- Bürger/Staatsbürger: Citizen/National - Has full civil rights and obligations, not just an honor.
- Ehrenmitglied: Honorary member - Honorary membership in a club/organization, not a municipality/state.
- Träger des Bundesverdienstkreuzes: Bearer of the Federal Cross of Merit - Another high state decoration in Germany, but not honorary citizenship.
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Enkel den Großvater: "Opa, du bist doch Ehrenbürger. Bekommst du jetzt dein Essen umsonst?" Opa schmunzelt: "Nein, mein Junge. Aber ich bekomme die Ehre, es selbst zu bezahlen – mit einem Lächeln der Kassiererin!" 😄
English Translation: The grandson asks his grandfather: "Grandpa, you're an honorary citizen. Do you get your food for free now?" Grandpa chuckles: "No, my boy. But I get the honor of paying for it myself – with a smile from the cashier!" 😄
📜 A Poem about the Ehrenbürger
German:
Ein Leben lang für Stadt und Land,
Mit Herz und Geist, mit starker Hand.
Nun dankt die Stadt mit höchstem Lohn,
Der Ehrenbürger steigt zum Thron –
Nicht aus Gold, doch voller Ehr',
Sein Name klingt nun weit und hehr.
English Translation:
A whole life long for town and land,
With heart and mind, with steady hand.
Now thanks the town with highest prize,
The Honorary Citizen to a throne does rise –
Not made of gold, but full of grace,
His name resounds through time and space.
🕵️♀️ Who or what am I? A Riddle
German:
Ich bin kein König und hab kein Land,
Werde dennoch ehrenvoll ernannt.
Die Stadt verleiht mir meinen Namen,
Für Taten, die aus gutem Samen.
Mein Recht ist meist nur symbolisch rein,
Wer kann ich wohl sein?
English Translation:
I am no king and have no land,
Yet honorably appointed by command.
The city grants my name to me,
For deeds born of good decree.
My right is mostly symbolic, it's true,
Who could I be, clue after clue?
Solution: Der Ehrenbürger (The Honorary Citizen)
ℹ️ Other Information
Word Composition: The word 'Ehrenbürger' is a compound noun, composed of:
Historical Note: The practice of granting honorary citizenship has a long tradition dating back to antiquity. In its modern sense, it often became popular after the French Revolution.
International Context: The concept of an 'Honorary Citizen' exists in many countries, though the criteria and any associated privileges may vary.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ehrenbürger?
The noun Ehrenbürger is masculine, so the correct article is der Ehrenbürger.