der
Fernsehsender
📺 What does 'der Fernsehsender' mean?
Der Fernsehsender (noun, masculine) refers to an organization or institution that produces and broadcasts television programs. It can mean the entire station (e.g., ARD, ZDF, RTL in Germany) or a specific channel through which programs are transmitted.
It's a compound word made from fernsehen (to watch television) and der Sender (transmitter, station).
Since it only uses the article 'der', there are no different meanings based on the article. 🚨 Be careful not to confuse it with der Fernseher (the television set/device).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-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 Fernsehsender' in Detail
The word 'Fernsehsender' is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Fernsehsender |
| Genitive | des | Fernsehsenders |
| Dative | dem | Fernsehsender |
| Accusative | den | Fernsehsender |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Fernsehsender |
| Genitive | der | Fernsehsender |
| Dative | den | Fernsehsendern |
| Accusative | die | Fernsehsender |
Example Sentences 📜
- Welcher Fernsehsender überträgt heute das Fußballspiel?
Which TV station is broadcasting the football match today? - Die Nachrichten dieses Fernsehsenders sind sehr beliebt.
The news from this TV station is very popular. - Ich habe dem Fernsehsender einen Leserbrief geschrieben.
I wrote a letter to the editor to the TV station. - Wir können diesen Fernsehsender über Satellit empfangen.
We can receive this TV station via satellite. - Es gibt viele private und öffentlich-rechtliche Fernsehsender in Deutschland.
There are many private and public TV stations in Germany.
💡 How to use 'Fernsehsender'?
The term 'Fernsehsender' is used when talking about the organizations that provide television programming.
- Context: You use it in everyday conversation, in the news, in discussions about media, program scheduling, or broadcasting fees (Rundfunkgebühren).
- Specific vs. General: It can refer to a specific station ("Mein Lieblingssender ist Arte." – My favorite station is Arte.) or the entirety of stations ("Die deutschen Fernsehsender haben ein vielfältiges Programm." – The German TV stations offer a diverse program.).
- Distinction: It's important to distinguish der Fernsehsender (the organization/channel) from der Fernseher (the device/TV set) and das Fernsehen (the act of watching TV or the medium itself).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Imagine the boss (typically male in old stereotypes, helping remember 'der') of the station ('Sender') deciding the TV program. 'Der Sender' itself is masculine, and this carries over to 'der Fernsehsender'. Think: DER boss SENDS the TV shows.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of 'fern sehen' (seeing from afar) + 'senden' (to send). An organization that 'sends' pictures for you to 'see from afar'.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Der TV-Sender: Very common abbreviation.
- Der Kanal: Often used synonymously, especially referring to the transmission path (e.g., "Auf welchem Kanal läuft das?" – On which channel is it running?).
- Die Fernsehanstalt: More formal, often for larger, established organizations (Anstalt means institution).
- Das Fernsehprogramm: Can sometimes be used synonymously when referring to the content broadcast by a station, but strictly speaking, it's the program itself.
Antonyms (opposites/other concepts):
- Der Radiosender: Broadcasts audio, not video (radio station).
- Der Zuschauer / Die Zuschauerin: The viewer consuming the TV station's program.
- Der Streamingdienst: Offers content often on-demand, not necessarily linearly like a classic TV station (streaming service).
⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse with der Fernseher (the TV set).
😄 A little joke
Warum hat der Fernseher schlechte Laune?
Weil er so viele schlechte Nachrichten vom Fernsehsender bekommt!
Why is the TV in a bad mood?
Because it gets so much bad news from the TV station!
✍️ Poem about TV Stations
Der Fernsehsender, Tag und Nacht,
hat Bilder in die Welt gebracht.
Mal bunt, mal ernst, mal laut, mal leis,
sendet er auf seine Reis'.
Von Sport bis Show, von Film bis Spiel,
bietet er uns allen viel.
The TV station, day and night,
Has brought pictures to the world's light.
Sometimes colorful, sometimes serious, loud or low,
It broadcasts on its journey, watch it go.
From sports to shows, from film to game,
It offers much to all, it's fame.
🕵️ A little riddle
Ich sende Bilder in dein Haus,
Tag für Tag, jahrein, jahraus.
Ich habe viele Kanäle, groß und klein,
manchmal schaust du stundenlang bei mir rein.
Wer bin ich?
... Der Fernsehsender
I send pictures into your house,
Day after day, year in, year out.
I have many channels, big and small,
Sometimes you watch me for hours, giving your all.
What am I?
... The TV station (der Fernsehsender)
🧩 Additional Information
Word Composition:
The word 'Fernsehsender' is a compound noun, composed of:
- Fernsehen: Consists of fern (adverb, far away) + sehen (verb, to see).
- Sender: Derived from the verb senden (to send, to transmit).
Cultural Context:
In Germany, a distinction is often made between öffentlich-rechtliche Fernsehsender (public broadcasting stations like ARD, ZDF, funded by broadcasting fees - Rundfunkbeiträge) and private Fernsehsender (private TV stations like RTL, ProSieben, mainly financed by advertising - Werbung).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Fernsehsender?
The word 'Fernsehsender' is masculine. The correct article is der: der Fernsehsender.