der
Einbrecher
🕵️ What does "der Einbrecher" mean?
Der Einbrecher refers to a male person who illegally enters a building (apartment, house, shop, etc.), usually with the intent to steal something. It describes a criminal offense.
The word is masculine (männlich). The feminine form is die Einbrecherin (the female burglar).
It derives from the verb einbrechen (to break in, to burgle).
🚨 Note: Don't confuse Einbrecher with a general Dieb (thief). An Einbrecher specifically breaks into a place, while a Dieb could also be a pickpocket or shoplifter.
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 in Detail: Der Einbrecher
The noun "Einbrecher" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der Einbrecher | ein Einbrecher |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den Einbrecher | einen Einbrecher |
| Dative (To whom?) | dem Einbrecher | einem Einbrecher |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des Einbrechers | eines Einbrechers |
Declension Plural
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Einbrecher | Einbrecher |
| Accusative | die Einbrecher | Einbrecher |
| Dative | den Einbrechern | Einbrechern |
| Genitive | der Einbrecher | Einbrecher |
Example Sentences
- Nominative: Der Einbrecher wurde von der Polizei gefasst. (The burglar was caught by the police.)
- Accusative: Die Zeugin hat den Einbrecher genau beschrieben. (The witness described the burglar precisely.)
- Dative: Die Polizei ist dem Einbrecher auf der Spur. (The police are on the burglar's trail.)
- Genitive: Die Spuren des Einbrechers waren überall im Haus. (The burglar's tracks were all over the house.)
- Plural: In letzter Zeit gab es viele Einbrecher in der Gegend. (Recently, there have been many burglars in the area.)
Usage in Context
"Der Einbrecher" is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Crime reporting: In news and police reports about break-ins (Einbrüche).
- Legal context: In relation to criminal proceedings for burglary (Einbruchdiebstahl).
- Everyday language: When talking about burglaries or suspecting someone.
- Prevention: In advice on securing homes or apartments against burglars (gegen Einbrecher).
Difference from "Dieb": An Einbrecher is a specific type of Dieb (thief). He breaks into a place to steal. A Dieb could also be a pickpocket (Taschendieb) or someone who shoplifts (Ladendieb) without breaking in.
Mnemonics for "der Einbrecher"
- For the article 'der': Imagine Derek the man *breaks in*. The masculine name helps remember the masculine article *der*.
- For the meaning: Think of the parts: Someone who *breaks* (brechen) *in* (ein-) is an Einbrecher. It sounds a bit like "in-breaker".
Remember: A man who breaks in is der Einbrecher. A woman is die Einbrecherin.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Dieb: Thief (general term).
- Straftäter/Verbrecher: Offender/Criminal (general terms).
- Ganove/Gauner: Crook/Scoundrel (colloquial, sometimes slightly less harsh).
- Langfinger: Literally long-finger, colloquial for thief.
⚠️ Similar Words (Potential for Confusion!)
- Einwohner: Inhabitant/Resident (someone who lives somewhere, doesn't break in!).
- Brecher: Can be a breaker (tool) or a large wave, not usually a person who breaks in.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Einbrecher immer Seife mit?
Damit sie nach dem Coup schnell untertauchen können!
Translation:
Why do burglars always take soap with them?
So they can disappear quickly after the heist! (The German verb "untertauchen" means both "to submerge/go underwater" and "to disappear/go into hiding".)
📜 Poem about the Burglar
Leise schleicht der Einbrecher durch Nacht,
hat auf fremdes Gut es abgesehn'.
Mit Werkzeug, leis' und unbewacht,
will er durch Fenster oder Türen gehn'.
Doch oft bleibt's beim Versuch, dem schnellen,
wenn Licht angeht oder Hund bellt laut.
Dann muss er schleunigst Reißaus nehmen,
bevor die Polizei ihn sich anschaut.
Translation:
Quietly creeps the burglar through the night,
having set his sights on others' property.
With tools, quiet and unguarded,
he wants to go through windows or doors.
But often it remains just a quick attempt,
when a light turns on or a dog barks loud.
Then he must quickly flee,
before the police take a look at him.
❓ Riddle
Ich komme meistens in der Nacht,
habe Dietriche mitgebracht.
Ich nehme Dinge, die nicht mein,
wer schleicht sich da ins Haus hinein?
Lösung: der Einbrecher
Translation:
I usually come at night,
I've brought lock picks along.
I take things that aren't mine,
who is sneaking into the house?
Solution: the burglar (der Einbrecher)
Other Information
Word Origin (Wortherkunft)
The word "Einbrecher" is composed of:
- ein-: Prefix indicating inward motion.
- brechen: Verb meaning 'to break'.
- -er: Suffix denoting a person performing the action.
So, literally: "one who breaks in".
Cultural Notes
Burglars (Einbrecher) are common characters in crime films and literature (Krimis), sometimes depicted as dangerous antagonists, sometimes as almost likeable "gentleman thieves" (Gentleman-Gauner).
Summary: is it der, die or das Einbrecher?
The word "Einbrecher" is masculine. The correct article is der Einbrecher. The feminine form is die Einbrecherin, and the plural is die Einbrecher.