der
Farmer
🧑🌾 What exactly is a Farmer?
Der Farmer is a masculine noun in German and refers to a person who practices agriculture, especially in the Anglo-American world. It is a loanword from English.
In German, the words Landwirt or Bauer are more commonly used. 'Farmer' often carries a connotation of larger, more modern farms, or specifically refers to the North American context.
There are no specific alternative articles for this loanword in German; the corresponding feminine form is die Farmerin.
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 'der Farmer' in Detail
The word 'Farmer' is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Farmer |
| Genitive | des | Farmers |
| Dative | dem | Farmer |
| Accusative | den | Farmer |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Farmer |
| Genitive | der | Farmer |
| Dative | den | Farmern |
| Accusative | die | Farmer |
Example Sentences
- Der Farmer bestellt sein Feld mit einem modernen Traktor. (The farmer cultivates his field with a modern tractor.)
- Das Land gehört einem reichen Farmer aus Texas. (The land belongs to a rich farmer from Texas.)
- Wir haben den Farmern bei der Ernte geholfen. (We helped the farmers with the harvest.)
- Man sieht viele Farmer auf dem Markt, die ihre Produkte verkaufen. (You see many farmers at the market selling their products.)
🚜 How to Use 'Farmer'?
'Farmer' is often used in German when talking about agriculturalists in English-speaking countries (especially the USA, Canada) or to describe a more modern, large-scale agriculturalist.
- Context: News reports about American agriculture, films or books set in North America.
- Distinction: Landwirt is the more general and neutral German term. Bauer can sound more traditional or sometimes slightly derogatory, but is also used neutrally. 'Farmer' is more specific to the Anglo-American context or modern farms.
- Frequency: Less common than 'Landwirt' or 'Bauer' in everyday German usage, except in specific contexts.
🚨 Caution: Although 'Farmer' is a common loanword, using 'Landwirt' or 'Bauer' might sound more natural when discussing German or European agriculture.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Farmer'
Article Mnemonic: Imagine der strong MAN (masculine!) working on his farm - der Farmer.
Meaning Mnemonic: A Farmer 'farms' the land – he cultivates it. The English word 'farm' is right inside!
🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Stadtbewohner: City dweller; person living in the city, not involved in agriculture.
- Verbraucher / Konsument: Consumer; person who buys and consumes agricultural products but doesn't produce them.
- Industriearbeiter: Industrial worker.
⚠️ Confusion Alert: Don't confuse with 'Farm' (the farmstead itself) or job titles from other sectors.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Farmer den Preis für den besten Gärtner gewonnen?
Weil er auf seinem Gebiet herausragend war!
(Why did the farmer win the award for best gardener?
Because he was outstanding in his field!)
📜 Poem about the Farmer
Der Farmer auf dem weiten Feld,
hat seine Saat bestellt.
Mit Trecker, Kraft und viel Geschick,
hofft er aufs Ernteglück.
Von früh bis spät, bei Wind und Nass,
gibt er für uns sein Bestes, das!
(The farmer in the wide field,
has planted his seed.
With tractor, strength, and much skill,
he hopes for harvest luck's thrill.
From dawn till dusk, through wind and wet,
he gives his best for us, you bet!)
❓ Who am I? A Riddle
Ich steh' oft früh auf, noch vor dem Hahn,
fahr' mit dem Traktor übern Plan.
Ich pflanze Mais und ernte Korn,
sorg' für das Essen, hier und dorn.
Oft nennt man mich im Land der Stars,
mit Hut und Stiefeln, ist doch klar!
(I often get up early, before the rooster crows,
drive my tractor across the rows.
I plant corn and harvest grain,
provide the food, again and again.
Often called this in the land of stars,
with hat and boots, near and far!
Who am I?)
(Answer: der Farmer)
💡 Other Information
- Word Origin: The word 'Farmer' was borrowed from English ('farmer') in the 19th century. The English word derives via Old French ('fermier') from Middle Latin 'firmarius' (tenant farmer), which in turn comes from 'firma' (rent, fixed contract).
- Feminine Form: The feminine form is 'die Farmerin'.
- Compounds: Sometimes compounds like 'Farmerverband' (farmers' association) or 'Farmerlobby' (farmer lobby) are found, mostly in the context of US politics.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Farmer?
The German word 'Farmer' is a masculine noun. The correct article is der Farmer. The plural is 'die Farmer'. It refers to a person engaged in agriculture, often in an Anglo-American context.