der
Ex
🧑💔 What does 'der Ex' mean?
The term der Ex is a colloquial abbreviation for a former male partner, usually an Ex-Freund (ex-boyfriend) or Ex-Mann (ex-husband). It refers to a person with whom a romantic relationship has ended.
Important: The female equivalent is die Ex (former girlfriend or wife).
Although often used informally, the term is widely common and understood in German.
🧐 Grammar of 'der Ex' in Detail
The noun 'Ex' is masculine when referring to a male person.
| Case | Masculine |
|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der Ex |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des Ex |
| Dative (To whom?) | dem Ex |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den Ex |
| Case | Plural |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Exen |
| Genitive | der Exen |
| Dative | den Exen |
| Accusative | die Exen |
⚠️ Note: The plural 'die Exen' is relatively rare and often paraphrased (e.g., 'meine ehemaligen Partner' - my former partners).
Example Sentences
- Er trifft sich immer noch manchmal mit seinem Ex.
(He still sometimes meets up with his ex.) - Der Ex meiner Schwester ruft ständig an.
(My sister's ex calls constantly.) - Ich habe zufällig den Ex meiner besten Freundin im Supermarkt gesehen.
(I accidentally saw my best friend's ex in the supermarket.)
💬 How is 'der Ex' used?
'Der Ex' is primarily used in spoken language and informal contexts. You'll find it in conversations among friends, on social media, or in tabloid press.
- Typical Context: Conversations about past relationships, breakups, or chance encounters with former partners.
- Connotation: Can be neutral, but often carries a slightly negative or at least emotionally charged connotation, depending on the context of the breakup.
- Differentiation: It's more specific than 'ehemaliger Partner' (former partner), as it usually refers to romantic relationships. In more formal contexts, one would rather say 'mein ehemaliger Freund/Mann' (my former boyfriend/husband).
💡 Mnemonics for 'der Ex'
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Mann (the man). The Ex is (usually) a former man/boyfriend, hence 'der'.
Meaning Mnemonic: 'Ex' sounds like 'exit'. The Ex has 'exited' the relationship.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar meaning):
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Ex keinen Kalender mehr? Weil seine Tage gezählt waren!
(Why doesn't the ex have a calendar anymore? Because his days were numbered!)
📜 Poem about the Ex
Der Ex, ein Wort, kurz und knapp,
Erinnert an manchen alten Zapp.
Mal Freund, mal Feind, je nach dem Wind,
Ein Kapitel, das man hinter sich find'.
Manchmal ein Lächeln, manchmal ein Stich,
So ist das Leben, sicherlich.
(The ex, a word, short and neat,
Reminds of some old, jumpy beat.
Sometimes friend, sometimes foe, by the breeze,
A chapter left behind with ease.
Sometimes a smile, sometimes a sting,
That's life, for sure, the song it sings.)
❓ Riddle
Ich bin männlich und war mal dein Begleiter,
Unsere gemeinsame Zeit ist leider
Vorbei, Geschichte, aus und ex.
Wer bin ich, kurz gesagt?
(I am male and was once your companion,
Our time together, sadly,
Is over, history, done and ex.
Who am I, in short?)
Solution: Der Ex
ℹ️ Further Information
Word Origin: The prefix 'Ex-' comes from Latin and means 'out of', 'former'. It's used in many German words (e.g., Export, Ex-Präsident).
Colloquial Language: 'Der Ex' and 'die Ex' are integral parts of modern German colloquial speech, especially among younger people.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ex?
The word "Ex" as an abbreviation for a former partner is masculine when referring to a man: der Ex. The feminine form is die Ex. There is no neuter form ("das Ex") with this meaning.