der
Einer
📖 What does 'der Einer' mean?
'Der Einer' is the nominalized (noun) form of the numeral 'eins' (one) in the masculine gender. It can refer to several things:
- A male person or thing (the number one): Refers to a specific male person or object identified with the number one or being the first/only one. Example: Von den Bewerbern war er der Einer, der alle Kriterien erfüllte. (Of the applicants, he was the one who met all criteria.)
- A type of rowing boat 🚣: A narrow racing rowing boat for a single person (a single scull). Example: Er trainiert im Einer für die Regatta. (He is training in the single scull for the regatta.)
- A school grade 🎓: In the German grading system, the best grade "Sehr Gut" (Very Good), equivalent to a 1 or A+. Example: Sie hat lauter Einer im Zeugnis. (She has straight A's / all 1s on her report card.) (Often also called "Einser", but "Einer" is possible).
- A digit or number 🔢: The digit 1 itself or the ones place in a number. Example: Bei der Zahl 123 ist die 3 der Einer. (In the number 123, the 3 is the ones digit.)
- A coin or banknote 💰: Colloquially for a one-euro coin or a (rare) one-euro banknote. Example: Hast du mal einen Einer für den Automaten? (Do you have a one-euro coin for the machine?)
🚨 Attention: Do not confuse it with the indefinite article 'ein' or the pronoun 'einer'. 'Der Einer' is always a noun.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ner → almost always masculine.
Compare with the category '-er'.
-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 of 'der Einer' in Detail
'Der Einer' is a masculine noun derived from the numeral 'eins' (one). It is declined like a regular masculine noun ending in -er.
| Case | Masculine |
|---|---|
| Nominative | der Einer |
| Genitive | des Einers |
| Dative | dem Einer |
| Accusative | den Einer |
| Case | Masculine |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Einer |
| Genitive | der Einer |
| Dative | den Einern |
| Accusative | die Einer |
Example Sentences 📝
- Der Einer liegt gut im Wasser.
(The single scull sits well in the water.) - Gib mir bitte den Einer zurück.
(Please give me the one-euro coin back.) - Bei der Addition musst du die Einer zuerst zusammenzählen.
(When adding, you have to sum up the ones digits first.) - Er ist der Einer unter Tausenden.
(He is the one in a thousand.) - Die vielen Einer im Zeugnis machten die Eltern stolz.
(The many 'A' grades / '1's on the report card made the parents proud.)
🗣️ How to use 'der Einer'?
The usage of 'der Einer' strongly depends on the context:
- In sports (rowing): Standard term for the single scull boat.
- In school: As a synonym for the grade "Sehr Gut" (1 or A+), often also "Einser".
- In mathematics: Denotes the ones place of a number (as opposed to tens, hundreds, etc. - Zehner, Hunderter).
- With money: Colloquially for the 1-euro coin.
- General (person/thing): Used less commonly to emphasize a specific male person or thing considered number one or unique.
It is crucial to distinguish 'der Einer' (noun) from the indefinite pronoun 'einer' (e.g., Einer von uns muss gehen - One of us has to go) and the indefinite article 'ein'.
💡 Mnemonics for 'der Einer'
Article Mnemonic: Think of DER rowER in the EINER boat – the 'ER' helps remember 'der'. Or: DER bEst studEnt often gets an EINER (grade 1).
Meaning Mnemonic: 'Einer' sounds like 'eins' (one). Remember it always relates to the number 1: 1 person in the boat, grade 1, 1 Euro, the 1s place.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- For rowing boat: Skiff
- For grade: Einser, Sehr Gut
- For person/thing: Der Einzelne (the individual), Das Individuum (the individual) - depending on context
- For coin: Ein-Euro-Stück (one-euro piece)
Antonyms
Similar Words (Caution!)
- einer (pronoun): Einer muss es tun. (One has to do it.) - Indefinite person
- ein (article): Ein Mann kam vorbei. (A man came by.)
- eine (article/pronoun): Feminine form of 'ein'/'einer'.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Lehrer: "Was kommt nach dem Einer?"
Schüler: "Na, der Zweier natürlich! Außer beim Rudern, da kommt vielleicht das Ufer."
Teacher asks: "What comes after the 'Einer' (one/grade 1)?"
Student: "Well, the 'Zweier' (two/grade 2), of course! Unless you're rowing, then maybe the riverbank comes next."
✒️ Poem about 'der Einer'
Der Einer, stolz und ganz allein,
gleitet übers Wasser fein.
Im Zeugnis ist er gern geseh'n,
lässt Herzen höherschlagen, wunderschön.
Als Münze klein, doch wertvoll klar,
die Eins, sie ist stets für dich da!
The 'Einer', proud and all alone,
Glides smoothly over water stone.
On report cards, a welcome sight,
Makes hearts beat faster, oh so bright.
As a small coin, yet value clear,
The number one is always here!
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin 'ne Zahl, doch werd' zum Ding,
mal auf dem Wasser, mal im Zeugnisring.
Mal bin ich Münze, klein und rund,
mal fährt nur einer mit mir, kerngesund.
Was bin ich?
... Der Einer
I am a number, but become a thing,
Sometimes on water, sometimes in the grade-book ring.
Sometimes I'm a coin, small and round,
Sometimes only one rides with me, safe and sound.
What am I?
... Der Einer (the one / single scull / grade 1 / one-euro coin)
🧩 Other Interesting Facts
Word Formation: 'Der Einer' is a classic example of nominalization in German. The numeral (Zahlwort) 'eins' is turned into a noun by adding the suffix '-er' and using an article ('der').
Cultural Significance: The grade 'Eins' or 'der Einer' holds significant value in Germany as a mark of excellent performance in school or university.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Einer?
The word 'Einer' used as a noun referring to a single scull (rowing boat), a grade (1/A+), a digit's place value, a coin (one euro), or a single male person/thing is always masculine. The correct article is der Einer.