der  Fischer

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfɪʃɐ/

🎣 What does "der Fischer" mean?

Der Fischer (plural: die Fischer) is a masculine noun meaning fisherman. It refers to a person who catches fish, either professionally (Berufsfischer) or as a hobby (Angler).

• Main meaning: A person who fishes (professionally or for leisure).
• Other use: "Fischer" is also a very common German surname (e.g., the famous chess player Bobby Fischer, although he was American, or the singer Helene Fischer). In this context, it doesn't really have a plural (one might refer to "the Fischers" as a family).

🚨 There are no other articles for this word when it means a person who fishes. It is always der Fischer.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Fischer" in Detail

Der Fischer is a masculine noun that follows the weak N-declension, although it has an exception in the genitive singular (it can be strong or weak). The plural is regular.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📖 Example Sentences

1. Der Fischer wirft sein Netz aus. (The fisherman casts his net. - Nominative Singular)
2. Das Boot des Fischers liegt am Steg. (The fisherman's boat is at the jetty. - Genitive Singular)
3. Wir kaufen frischen Fisch direkt bei dem Fischer. (We buy fresh fish directly from the fisherman. - Dative Singular)
4. Siehst du den Fischer dort drüben am Ufer? (Do you see the fisherman over there on the bank? - Accusative Singular)
5. Die Fischer fahren frühmorgens aufs Meer hinaus. (The fishermen go out to sea early in the morning. - Nominative Plural)
6. Die harte Arbeit der Fischer wird oft unterschätzt. (The fishermen's hard work is often underestimated. - Genitive Plural)
7. Der Bürgermeister dankte den Fischern für ihren Beitrag zur lokalen Wirtschaft. (The mayor thanked the fishermen for their contribution to the local economy. - Dative Plural)
8. Man kann die Fischer bei ihrer Arbeit beobachten. (One can watch the fishermen at work. - Accusative Plural)

💬 How to use "der Fischer"?

Der Fischer is mainly used to describe someone whose profession or hobby is catching fish.

• In a professional context: "Er arbeitet als Fischer an der Nordsee." (He works as a fisherman on the North Sea.) Here it clearly refers to the profession.
• In a recreational context: "Mein Opa war leidenschaftlicher Fischer und ging jedes Wochenende angeln." (My grandpa was a passionate fisherman and went fishing every weekend.) Here it describes the hobby (often synonymous with Angler - angler).
• As a surname: "Frau Fischer ist unsere neue Nachbarin." (Mrs. Fischer is our new neighbour.)
• In idioms/literature: The figure of the fisherman often appears in stories, fairy tales (e.g., "Von dem Fischer un syner Fru" - "The Fisherman and His Wife") and idioms (e.g., "im Trüben fischen" - to fish in troubled waters).

Difference from "Angler": While Fischer can denote both the profession and the hobby, Angler more specifically refers to someone who fishes with a fishing rod (Angel), usually as a leisure activity.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Remembering the Article (der): Think of a typical fisherman: He is often a strong man. Masculine nouns in German often take "der". Der strong man is der Fischer.

Remembering the Meaning: The word sounds like "Fisch" (fish) + "er". The person who deals with "Fischen" (fish) is der Fischer (the doer related to fish).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words

• Fisch: The animal that is caught. (der Fisch, die Fische - the fish, the fishes)
• Fischerei: The activity of fishing or the fishing industry. (die Fischerei - the fishery/fishing)

😂 A little Fischer Joke

DE: Warum nehmen Fischer kein Deo?

Damit die Fische nicht den Köder riechen! 😉

EN Translation: Why don't fishermen use deodorant?

So the fish don't smell the bait! 😉

📜 Poem about the Fischer

DE:
Am frühen Morgen, still und grau,
fährt der Fischer auf den See hinaus, schlau.
Sein Netz wirft er mit geübter Hand,
hängt der Fang bald fest am Rand?
Die Sonne steigt, das Wasser glänzt,
der Fischer hofft, dass er gut ergänzt,
was auf dem Markt gebraucht wird, frisch,
vom Wasser direkt auf den Tisch.

EN Translation:
In the early morning, still and grey,
the fisherman goes out onto the lake, clever way.
He casts his net with a practiced hand,
will the catch soon be firmly on the strand?
The sun climbs high, the water gleams,
the fisherman hopes, it seems,
to well supply what the market needs, fresh,
from the water straight to the mesh (onto the table).

❓ Riddle Time

DE:
Ich fahre aufs Wasser, bei Tag oder Nacht,
habe Geduld und gebe gut Acht.
Mit Netz oder Angel, mein Ziel ist klar,
ich bringe Meeresfrüchte dar.

Wer bin ich? Lösung: Der Fischer

EN Translation:
I go onto the water, by day or by night,
I have patience and pay close attention, alright.
With net or with rod, my goal is clear,
I bring forth seafood, have no fear.

Who am I? Answer: The fisherman (Der Fischer)

💡 More to Know

• Word Composition: The word derives directly from Fisch (fish), with the suffix "-er", which often denotes professions or agents (cf. Bäcker from backen - baker from to bake, Lehrer from lehren - teacher from to teach).
• Cultural Significance: The Fischer is a figure appearing in many cultures and stories, often symbolizing patience, connection to nature, or simplicity.
• Surname: As mentioned, "Fischer" is one of the most common German surnames.