der
Fremde
🌍 What does "der Fremde" mean?
The word der Fremde refers to a male person who is unknown, does not belong to one's own group (family, community, nation), or comes from another place or country.
It is a substantivized adjective (derived from the adjective fremd - strange, foreign).
- Meaning 1: An unknown man (stranger). Example: Ein Fremder fragte mich nach dem Weg. (A stranger asked me for directions.)
- Meaning 2: A man from another country or culture (foreigner). Example: Viele Fremde leben und arbeiten in dieser Stadt. (Many foreigners live and work in this city.)
🚨 Important Note: Depending on the context, the word can be neutral, but sometimes it can also have a distant or even negative connotation. Sensitive use of language is recommended. Often, more precise terms like Tourist (tourist), Gast (guest), Zugewanderter (immigrant), or simply Unbekannter (unknown person) are more appropriate.
There is also the feminine form die Fremde (a female stranger/foreigner) and the abstract noun die Fremde (foreign lands, the unknown, foreignness).
🧐 Grammar of "der Fremde" in Detail
Der Fremde is a substantivized adjective and is declined accordingly (here following the weak declension, as it is preceded by a definite article).
Declension Tables
| Case | Masculine |
|---|---|
| Nominative | der Fremde |
| Genitive | des Fremden |
| Dative | dem Fremden |
| Accusative | den Fremden |
| Case | Masculine |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Fremden |
| Genitive | der Fremden |
| Dative | den Fremden |
| Accusative | die Fremden |
Note: After an indefinite article (ein) or without an article, the mixed or strong adjective declension is used, respectively.
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Fremde stand still an der Ecke. (The stranger stood still at the corner. - Nominative Singular)
- Ich gab dem Fremden meine alte Karte. (I gave the stranger my old map. - Dative Singular)
- Die Geschichten des Fremden waren faszinierend. (The stranger's stories were fascinating. - Genitive Singular)
- Wir beobachteten den Fremden misstrauisch. (We watched the stranger suspiciously. - Accusative Singular)
- Die Fremden wurden freundlich empfangen. (The strangers were received friendly. - Nominative Plural)
🗣️ How to use "der Fremde"?
Der Fremde is used to talk about a male person one doesn't know or who doesn't belong to one's own social group or origin.
- In everyday life: When encountering an unknown male person. "Wer war der Fremde an der Tür?" ("Who was the stranger at the door?")
- In social/political contexts: Often used in discussions about migration or integration, but caution is advised due to potential negative connotations. Alternative terms are often better.
- In literature/philosophy: As a figure or concept of the 'other', the unknown.
Comparison:
- Der Unbekannte: Very similar, often more neutral than der Fremde. Focuses on the lack of familiarity.
- Der Ausländer: Specifically refers to origin from another country. Can also be neutral or carry negative connotations.
- Der Gast: An invited or welcomed person from outside.
⚠️ Be mindful of when the word is appropriate. Sometimes it can sound exclusionary, even if not intended that way.
🧠 Mnemonics
Remembering the article: Imagine: DER man over there seems fremd (strange/foreign) to me. -> der Fremde.
Remembering the meaning: The word Fremde contains the adjective fremd. Something that is fremd is unfamiliar – just like a Fremde(r) (stranger).
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms for Fremde
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Der Unbekannte: Someone you don't know (more neutral).
- Der Ausländer: Someone from another country (more specific, can sound negative).
- Der Außenstehende: An outsider, someone not belonging to a specific group.
- Der Zugereiste: Someone new to an area (newcomer).
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Der Bekannte: An acquaintance, someone you know.
- Der Einheimische: A local, someone native to the area.
- Der Freund: A friend.
- Der Nachbar: A neighbor.
⚠️ Similar Words
- fremd (adjective): The adjective from which der Fremde is derived, meaning strange or foreign. "Diese Sitten sind mir fremd." ("These customs are foreign to me.")
- entfremden (verb): To become estranged. "Sie haben sich über die Jahre entfremdet." ("They grew apart over the years.")
- fremdartig (adjective): Appearing strange or exotic.
😂 A Little Joke
Ein Fremder fragt einen Passanten: "Entschuldigung, können Sie mir sagen, wie spät es auf Ihrer Uhr ist?"
Antwortet der Passant: "Tut mir leid, auf meiner Uhr ist kein Platz mehr für Sie!"
Translation:
A stranger asks a passerby: "Excuse me, can you tell me what time it is on your watch?"
The passerby replies: "Sorry, there's no room for you on my watch!" (A play on the word 'auf' which can mean 'on'/'upon' spatially).
📜 Poem about the Stranger
Ein Schatten huscht, ein leiser Tritt,
Der Fremde geht durch unsre Mitt'.
Sein Blick ist fern, sein Herz vielleicht
Von Sehnsucht oder Schmerz erweicht.
Man weiß nicht, woher er kam,
Was seine Seele einst vernahm.
Ein Rätsel bleibt, ein offnes Buch,
Ein flüchtiger Besuch.
Translation:
A shadow flits, a silent tread,
The stranger walks among us instead.
His gaze is distant, his heart perhaps
Softened by longing or pain's traps.
One doesn't know from whence he came,
What his soul once did proclaim.
A riddle remains, an open book,
A fleeting look.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich komme von fern oder nah,
bin plötzlich einfach für dich da.
Du kennst mein Gesicht noch nicht,
wer bin ich, sprich?
Translation:
I come from far or near,
suddenly I'm simply here.
You don't know my face just yet,
who am I, make your bet?
Solution: der Fremde (the stranger)
💡 Other Information
Word Formation: Der Fremde is an example of substantivization. The adjective fremd (strange, foreign) is turned into a noun describing a person by adding an article (here der).
Cultural Significance: The concept of the 'stranger' (der Fremde) plays a significant role in many cultures, philosophies, and religions, often linked to themes like hospitality (Gastfreundschaft), fear of the unknown, or identity.
Summary: is it der, die or das Fremde?
When 'Fremde' refers to a male person, the article is der Fremde. This noun follows adjectival declension (weak declension after a definite article). Note that 'die Fremde' also exists (referring to a female person or the abstract concept of foreignness/the unknown).