der
Feuerwehrmann
🚒 What does "der Feuerwehrmann" mean?
Der Feuerwehrmann (plural: die Feuerwehrmänner) refers to a male person who works for the Feuerwehr (fire department/brigade), either professionally or as a volunteer. Their main tasks include extinguishing fires, rescuing people and animals from dangerous situations, and providing technical assistance (e.g., at accidents or floods).
It is a compound noun formed from "Feuer" (fire), "Wehr" (defense, protection), and "Mann" (man).
⚠️ Important: "Feuerwehrmann" is the specifically masculine form. The feminine form is "die Feuerwehrfrau" (female firefighter). A commonly used, gender-neutral term for members of the fire service (male, female, diverse) is "die Feuerwehrleute" (firefighters, plural).
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.
📐 Grammar in Detail: Der Feuerwehrmann
"Feuerwehrmann" is a masculine noun. The corresponding article is "der".
Declension
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der | Feuerwehrmann |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des | Feuerwehrmann(e)s |
| Dative (To whom?) | dem | Feuerwehrmann |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den | Feuerwehrmann |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Feuerwehrmänner |
| Genitive | der | Feuerwehrmänner |
| Dative | den | Feuerwehrmännern |
| Accusative | die | Feuerwehrmänner |
Note: The plural "Feuerwehrmänner" is used less frequently than the collective term "Feuerwehrleute" (firefighters).
Example Sentences
- Der Feuerwehrmann löschte mutig das Feuer. (The firefighter bravely extinguished the fire. - Nominative Singular)
- Das ist die Uniform des Feuerwehrmannes. (That is the firefighter's uniform. - Genitive Singular)
- Wir danken dem Feuerwehrmann für seine Hilfe. (We thank the firefighter for his help. - Dative Singular)
- Siehst du den Feuerwehrmann auf der Leiter? (Do you see the firefighter on the ladder? - Accusative Singular)
- Die Feuerwehrmänner rückten zum Einsatz aus. (The firefighters responded to the call. - Nominative Plural)
💡 Usage in Context
"Der Feuerwehrmann" is used to refer to a male person actively involved in firefighting and rescue operations. The term is common in both professional and volunteer contexts.
- Reports: In news or reports about incidents (Einsätze).
- Everyday language: When talking about the profession or a specific male individual.
- Children's books/media: The Feuerwehrmann is often portrayed as a heroic figure.
Compared to "Feuerwehrleute" (plural, gender-neutral) or "Einsatzkraft" (a general term for emergency personnel), "Feuerwehrmann" is specifically masculine. For women, only "Feuerwehrfrau" is used.
🚨 Be mindful of choosing the correct form to be inclusive. If you mean a group of firefighters, "Feuerwehrleute" is often a better choice than "Feuerwehrmänner", unless you are explicitly referring only to men.
🧠 How to Remember "der Feuerwehrmann"
Article Mnemonic
The Mann in "Feuerwehrmann" clearly indicates a man, which is a masculine noun in German, requiring the article "der". Picture a strong man fighting the fire – der hero.
Meaning Mnemonic
Break down the word: Feuer (fire) + Wehr (defense/protection) + Mann (man). It's literally a man who provides defense against fire. 🔥🛡️👨🚒
🔄 Related and Contrasting Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Brandbekämpfer (firefighter, slightly more formal)
- Brandmeister (fire chief/master, a rank in the fire service, sometimes used colloquially more generally)
- Wehrmann (archaic, more general term for a member of a defense force/militia, including fire brigades historically)
Antonyms (Opposite in Context):
- Brandstifter (arsonist - someone who starts fires intentionally)
- Zivilist / Zivilperson (civilian - someone not part of a uniformed organization like the fire department)
Similar but Different Terms:
- Feuerwehrfrau: Female firefighter.
- Feuerwehrleute: Gender-neutral plural/collective term for firefighters.
- Sanitäter/Rettungssanitäter: Paramedic/EMT, specialized in emergency medical care.
- Polizist: Police officer, responsible for law and order, law enforcement.
😂 A Little Joke
German: Warum nehmen Feuerwehrmänner immer eine Leiter mit zum Einsatz?
Damit sie bei der Arbeit aufsteigen können!
English Translation:
Why do firefighters always take a ladder with them to a call?
So they can climb the career ladder! (Literally: So they can ascend/climb up at work - a pun on 'aufsteigen' which means 'to climb up' and 'to get promoted'). 😄
📜 Poem about the Feuerwehrmann
German:
Sirenen heulen durch die Nacht,
ein Ruf, der schnell ihn aufgeweckt.
Der Feuerwehrmann, voller Kraft,
hat Helm und Stiefel angesteckt.
Er fährt zum Ort, wo Flammen loh'n,
rettet Leben, Hab und Gut.
Sein Einsatz ist der höchste Lohn,
er zeigt stets Mut, trotzt jeder Glut.
English Translation:
Sirens wail through the night,
A call that quickly woke him.
The firefighter, full of might,
Has donned his helmet and boots trim.
He drives to where the flames ignite,
Saves lives, belongings, and home.
His service is the highest right,
He always shows courage, braves any roam(ing fire).
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich trage Uniform, oft rot oder blau,
\kämpfe gegen Flammen, bin mutig und schlau.
\Mit Schlauch und mit Leiter komm' ich schnell herbei,
ette Mensch und Tier aus der Gefahr, eins, zwei, drei.
Wer bin ich (in der männlichen Form)?
Lösung: Der Feuerwehrmann
English Translation:
I wear a uniform, often red or blue,
I fight against flames, I'm brave and clever too.
With hose and with ladder, I quickly arrive,
Saving people and animals from danger, one, two, five (metaphorical fast count).
Who am I (in the masculine form)?
Answer: Der Feuerwehrmann (The firefighter)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition
The word "Feuerwehrmann" is a classic example of a German compound noun:
- Feuer: Refers to the fire, the danger.
- Wehr: Means defense, protection (compare to 'sich wehren' - to defend oneself).
- Mann: Denotes the (originally exclusively male) person performing this task.
Professional vs. Volunteer
In Germany, there are both Berufsfeuerwehren (professional fire departments), mainly in larger cities, and a very large number of Freiwillige Feuerwehren (volunteer fire departments), where the Feuerwehrmänner (and -frauen) serve on a voluntary basis.
Protective Gear (Schutzkleidung)
The typical protective gear of a Feuerwehrmann is designed to protect against heat, flames, smoke, and injuries. It usually consists of a helmet (Helm), jacket (Jacke), trousers (Hose), boots (Stiefel), and gloves (Handschuhe) made of special fire-resistant materials.
Summary: is it der, die or das Feuerwehrmann?
The word "Feuerwehrmann" refers to a male firefighter and is therefore a masculine noun in German. The correct article is "der": der Feuerwehrmann.