der
Einwanderer
🌍 What does 'der Einwanderer' mean?
Der Einwanderer refers to a male person who has come from another country to a new country to live there permanently or for an extended period, often also to work. It describes someone who is undergoing or has completed the process of immigration.
The female form is die Einwanderin (the female immigrant).
The term describes the perspective of the host country (someone immigrates into it - wandert ein). The counterpart is 'der Auswanderer' (the emigrant, someone emigrates out of their home country).
🚨 Important Note: The term can sometimes be used judgmentally in political debates in Germany. Alternatives like 'Zugewanderter' (person who moved here) or 'Mensch mit Migrationshintergrund' (person with a migration background) are often perceived as more neutral, although they have slightly different meanings.
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 of 'Einwanderer' in Detail
Der Einwanderer is a masculine noun that belongs to the weak N-declension (schwache N-Deklination). This means it takes an -n ending in all cases except the nominative singular.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Einwanderer |
| Genitive | des | Einwanderern |
| Dative | dem | Einwanderern |
| Accusative | den | Einwanderern |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Einwanderer |
| Genitive | der | Einwanderer |
| Dative | den | Einwanderern |
| Accusative | die | Einwanderer |
💡 Example Sentences
- Der neue Einwanderer aus Syrien sucht eine Wohnung.
(The new immigrant from Syria is looking for an apartment.) - Die Papiere des Einwanderern wurden überprüft.
(The immigrant's papers were checked.) - Die Stadt hilft dem Einwanderern bei der Integration.
(The city helps the immigrant with integration.) - Wir haben den jungen Einwanderern gestern kennengelernt.
(We met the young immigrant yesterday.) - Viele Einwanderer finden in Deutschland eine neue Heimat.
(Many immigrants find a new home in Germany.) - Die Geschichten der Einwanderer sind oft sehr bewegend.
(The stories of the immigrants are often very moving.) - Man sollte den Einwanderern mit Respekt begegnen.
(One should treat the immigrants with respect.)
🗣️ Usage in Context
The term 'Einwanderer' is mainly used in contexts relating to migration, society, politics, and demographics.
- Everyday language: Used to talk about people who have moved to Germany (or another country).
- Media & Politics: Frequent in reports on migration, integration, the job market, or social issues. Sensitivity is often required here (see note in definition).
- Statistics: Used in official statistics to record immigration figures (Zuwanderungszahlen).
Comparison with similar terms:
- Migrant: General term for someone who changes their place of residence (includes both immigrants and emigrants).
- Zuwanderer: Very similar to Einwanderer, often used as a more neutral alternative.
- Flüchtling/Geflüchteter: Refugee - a person forced to leave their country (due to war, persecution); not every immigrant is a refugee.
- Mensch mit Migrationshintergrund: Person with a migration background - includes immigrants as well as their descendants born in Germany.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Einwanderer'
Mnemonic for the article 'der':
Imagine: Der Mann (the man) wandert ein (immigrates). Immigrants are often thought of as male first (even though there are female immigrants, Einwanderinnen) -> so it's der Einwanderer.
Mnemonic for the meaning:
The word consists of "ein-" (into) and "wanderer". Someone wanders into a country. He is an Ein-wanderer (immigrant).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Zuwanderer: (Person moving to a place) Very similar, often felt to be more neutral.
- Immigrant: International loanword, same meaning.
- Migrant: Broader term, but can be used synonymously depending on context.
- Neubürger: (New citizen) Emphasizes the perspective of integration and citizenship.
Antonyms (opposites):
- Auswanderer: (Emigrant) Person leaving their own country to live elsewhere (opposite perspective).
- Emigrant: Loanword for Auswanderer.
- Einheimischer: (Native/Local) Person born and raised in the country in question.
- Ureinwohner: (Indigenous person/Aboriginal) Refers to the original inhabitants of an area.
⚠️ Caution: These terms often have subtle differences in connotation and precise meaning. 'Migrant' is broader, 'Flüchtling' (refugee) is more specific.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Zollbeamte den Einwanderer: "Alkohol, Zigaretten, Drogen?"
(The customs officer asks the immigrant: "Alcohol, cigarettes, drugs?")
Antwortet der Einwanderer: "Nein danke, einen Kaffee bitte!"
(The immigrant replies: "No thanks, just a coffee, please!")
📜 A Little Poem
Mit Koffer schwer und Hoffnung leicht,
Der Einwanderer hat's erreicht.
Ein neues Land, ein fremder Klang,
Beginnt der neue Lebensgang.
Sprache lernen, Arbeit finden,
Neue Wurzeln fest sich binden.
(With suitcase heavy and hope light,
The immigrant has reached his site.
A new country, a foreign sound,
A new course of life is found.
Learn the language, find a job,
Bind new roots, don't let them drop.)
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich komme aus der Ferne her,
Mein altes Zuhause liebte ich sehr.
Doch hier will ich nun bleiben, leben,
Dem neuen Land mein Bestes geben.
Wer bin ich?
(I come from far away,
My old home I loved dearly, I say.
But here I want to stay and live,
To the new country my best I'll give.
Who am I?)
Solution: der Einwanderer (the immigrant)
✨ Other Information
Word Composition:
The word 'Einwanderer' is derived from the verb einwandern (to immigrate). It consists of:
- Prefix "ein-": Indicates movement 'into' a place.
- Stem "wandern": (to wander, hike) Here used figuratively meaning 'to move', 'to migrate'.
- Suffix "-er": Forms masculine nouns denoting persons from verbs (like Lehrer from lehren - teacher from teach, Bäcker from backen - baker from bake).
Historical Context:
Germany has a long history of immigration and emigration. The term 'Einwanderer' became particularly prominent after World War II with the arrival of so-called 'Gastarbeiter' (guest workers), and again more recently with immigration from EU countries and due to refugee migration.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Einwanderer?
The word "Einwanderer" is masculine and takes the article der. It refers to a male person who has immigrated to a new country. It follows the weak N-declension (e.g., Genitive: des Einwanderern). The female form is "die Einwanderin", and the plural is "die Einwanderer".