der
Freier
🧐 What exactly does "der Freier" mean?
The word der Freier is a masculine noun with several meanings, which are quite different:
- Suitor / Wooer: (often historical or literary) A man who courts a woman, often with the intention of marriage. Synonymous with Bewerber or groom-to-be.
- Client of a prostitute: (most common modern meaning, often with negative connotations) A man who pays for sexual services. ⚠️ This meaning is very prominent in contemporary language and can be derogatory depending on the context.
- Freelancer / Self-employed person: (less common as a noun, more often used adjectivally) A person who is not permanently employed but takes on assignments independently. The terms "Freiberufler" or "Selbstständiger" are more common here. Sometimes "ein Freier" is used colloquially in this sense.
🚨 It's crucial to pay close attention to the context to avoid misunderstandings, especially due to the dominant second meaning.
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 Freier" in Detail
"Der Freier" is a masculine noun. It follows the n-declension when referring to a person (meanings 1 and 2). The meaning "freelancer" (rare as a noun) often follows the weak declension but can also be treated like an adjective.
Declension (Example for meanings 1 & 2 - Suitor/Client):
| Case | Article | Noun | (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Freier | (the suitor/client) |
| Genitive | des | Freiers | (of the suitor/client) |
| Dative | dem | Freier | (to/for the suitor/client) |
| Accusative | den | Freier | (the suitor/client) |
| Case | Article | Noun | (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Freier | (the suitors/clients) |
| Genitive | der | Freier | (of the suitors/clients) |
| Dative | den | Freiern | (to/for the suitors/clients) |
| Accusative | die | Freier | (the suitors/clients) |
Example Sentences
- (Suitor): Der junge Edelmann trat als Freier um die Hand der Prinzessin an.
(The young nobleman came as a suitor for the princess's hand.) - (Client): Die Polizei kontrollierte die Gegend auf der Suche nach verdächtigen Freiern.
(The police checked the area looking for suspicious clients.) - (Freelancer - rarer): Er arbeitet als Freier Mitarbeiter für verschiedene Zeitungen.
(He works as a freelance contributor for various newspapers. - Here often used adjectivally: "als freier Mitarbeiter")
🗣️ How "der Freier" is used
The usage of "der Freier" strongly depends on the intended meaning:
- Suitor/Wooer: This meaning is almost exclusively found in historical, literary, or fairytale contexts. It's very rare in modern everyday language.
- Client of a prostitute: This is by far the most common meaning in contemporary German. It's often used in news reports, police statements, social discussions, or colloquially. The term can be neutral and descriptive, but often carries a negative connotation.
- Freelancer: As a noun ("der Freier"), this meaning is uncommon and can be misleading. More usual are "der Freiberufler", "der Selbstständige", or the adjectival use ("ein freier Journalist", "sie arbeitet frei"). If "der Freier" is used in this sense, it's typically very informal.
Comparison: While "Freiberufler" clearly refers to the professional status of not being permanently employed, "Freier" in the modern context usually refers to the client of sexual services. The historical "Freier" as a suitor is a separate category.
💡 Mnemonics for "der Freier"
Article Mnemonic: DER guy who is FREE to propose is DER Freier. (Relates to the historical meaning but helps remember the masculine article 'der').
Meaning Mnemonic: A FREE-ER (Freier) man can do many things: he's free to woo a lady, free to pay for something (client), or works freely (freelancer).
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
- For Suitor/Wooer: Bewerber, Bräutigam (in spe), Heiratskandidat, Verehrer, Anbeter (applicant, groom-to-be, marriage candidate, admirer, adorer)
- For Client (prostitution): Kunde, Sexkäufer (client, sex buyer)
- For Freelancer (rare): Freiberufler, Selbstständiger, Freelancer (freelancer, self-employed person, freelancer)
Antonyms
(Antonyms are difficult as meanings are specific)
- To Suitor: perhaps 'Abgelehnter' (rejected one), 'Verlobter' (fiancé - if successful)
- To Client (prostitution): no direct antonym, perhaps 'Zuhälter' (pimp - different role), 'Enthaltender' (abstainer)
- To Freelancer: Angestellter, Festangestellter, Arbeitnehmer (employee, permanent employee, worker)
Similar but different words
😄 A Little Joke
Richter: "Sind Sie Freiberufler?"
Angeklagter: "Nein, heute nicht, Herr Richter, heute bin ich leider unfreiwillig hier."
Judge: "Are you a freelancer (Freiberufler)?"
Defendant: "No, not today, Your Honor, unfortunately today I'm here involuntarily (unfreiwillig)."
(Hint: Plays on the meaning of "frei" as in 'not imprisoned' vs. 'freelance'.)
📜 A Little Poem
Ein Freier kam ins Städtchen klein,
wollte um die Müllerin frein.
Doch man raunte hinter vorgehalt'ner Hand,
dass "Freier" heut was andres meint im Land.
Er zog verwirrt von dannen schnell,
die Sprache wandelt sich, aktuell.
(A suitor came to the small town,
wanted to woo the miller's wife.
But people whispered behind their hands,
that "Freier" means something different today in the land.
He left quickly, confused,
language changes, it's current news.)
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich werbe manchmal um die Braut,
hab manchmal Geld für Haut auf Haut.
Bin selten der, der selbstständig schafft,
doch trage stets die Männlichkeitskraft.
Wer bin ich, mit Artikel "der"?
(Sometimes I court the bride,
Sometimes have money for skin-on-skin applied.
Rarely am I the one who works self-employed,
But always carry masculinity's void.
Who am I, with the article "der"?)
(Solution: der Freier)
ℹ️ Other Information
Word Origin: The word "Freier" derives from the adjective "frei" (free). Originally, it referred to a free man (not a serf), who was also free to court a woman.
Adjectival Use: Much more common than the noun "der Freier" for a self-employed person is the adjectival form: "ein freier Mitarbeiter" (a freelance collaborator), "sie arbeitet frei" (she works freelance).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Freier?
The word "Freier" is always masculine: der Freier. It has several meanings: suitor/wooer (rather historical), client of a prostitute (common, often negative), and less commonly, freelancer.