der
Fremdenverkehr
🌍 What exactly is 'der Fremdenverkehr'?
Der Fremdenverkehr refers to the entirety of relationships and phenomena resulting from the travel and stay of people whose main residence is not the place visited and who do not pursue permanent gainful employment there. It's a rather traditional term for tourism, especially incoming tourism (as opposed to domestic travel or 'Binnenverkehr').
Although often used synonymously with 'Tourismus', 'Fremdenverkehr' sometimes has a slightly official or economic connotation. It usually refers to organized travel and its economic importance for a region.
📚 Grammar of 'Fremdenverkehr' in Detail
The word Fremdenverkehr is masculine. The article is der. It is almost exclusively used in the singular because it's a collective noun.
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Fremdenverkehr | ein Fremdenverkehr |
| Genitive | des Fremdenverkehrs | eines Fremdenverkehrs |
| Dative | dem Fremdenverkehr | einem Fremdenverkehr |
| Accusative | den Fremdenverkehr | einen Fremdenverkehr |
Example Sentences
- Der Fremdenverkehr ist ein wichtiger Wirtschaftszweig für die Region.
(Tourism is an important economic sector for the region.) - Die Einnahmen aus dem Fremdenverkehr sind im letzten Jahr gestiegen.
(Revenues from tourism increased last year.) - Wir müssen den Fremdenverkehr fördern, um Arbeitsplätze zu schaffen.
(We need to promote tourism to create jobs.) - Das Amt für Fremdenverkehr hat neue Broschüren herausgegeben.
(The tourist office has issued new brochures.)
🗣️ How is 'Fremdenverkehr' used?
The term Fremdenverkehr is often used in official, economic, or statistical contexts when discussing the economic aspects of travel (e.g., Fremdenverkehrsamt - tourist office, Fremdenverkehrsbilanz - tourism balance). In everyday language, the more modern word Tourismus is often preferred today.
- Context: Economy, administration, statistics, regional development.
- Style: Rather formal, sometimes perceived as slightly dated.
- Comparison: Tourismus is the broader and more common term. Reiseverkehr (travel traffic) is similar but can emphasize the transport aspect more strongly.
⚠️ Sometimes the term is perceived as distant because it refers to travelers as 'Fremde' (strangers/foreigners). 'Tourismus' often sounds more hospitable.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Fremdenverkehr'
- Article Mnemonic: Think of traffic - 'der Verkehr' (like car traffic) is masculine. So, der Fremdenverkehr, the 'traffic' of 'Fremde' (strangers/foreigners), is also masculine. Remember: DER stream of foreigners arrives.
- Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine Fremde (strangers/foreigners) coming in large streams (like Verkehr - traffic) to visit a place. That's Fremdenverkehr!
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Tourismus: The more modern and common term.
- Reiseverkehr: Often emphasizes the movement/travel itself.
- Gastgewerbe (Partial overlap): Hospitality industry (hotels, restaurants, etc.) that benefits from 'Fremdenverkehr'.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- (No direct antonym, but concepts like):
- Binnenverkehr/Inlandstourismus: Domestic tourism (sometimes considered part of 'Fremdenverkehr' in a broader sense).
- Ortsansässigkeit: Residency, the opposite of traveling.
Misleading words: Not easily confused, but it's important to distinguish it from the more general term Verkehr (transport system, traffic).
😄 A Little Joke
German: Fragt ein Tourist den Hotelier: "Ist der Fremdenverkehr hier stark?" Antwortet der Hotelier: "Ja, sehr stark! Manche Fremde sind so stark, die tragen ihre Koffer selbst in den fünften Stock!"
English Translation: A tourist asks the hotel owner: "Is the tourism {'Fremdenverkehr'} strong {'stark'} here?" The hotel owner replies: "Yes, very strong! Some tourists {'Fremde'} are so strong {'stark'}, they carry their own suitcases up to the fifth floor!" (Pun: 'stark' means strong/heavy/intense).
📜 Poem about 'Fremdenverkehr'
German:
Von fern sie kommen, Jahr für Jahr,
Die Fremden sind nun wieder da.
Mit Bus und Bahn, im Auto schnell,
Besuchen Stadt und Bergesquell.
Der Wirt sich freut, das Hotel ist voll,
Der Fremdenverkehr bringt seinen Zoll.
Für Wirtschaft gut, fürs Herz vielleicht,
Wenn Kultur auf Neugier weicht.
English Translation:
From afar they come, year after year,
The strangers are now here again.
By bus and train, by car so fast,
Visiting city and mountain spring's cast.
The host rejoices, the hotel is full,
The Fremdenverkehr takes its toll (or brings its revenue).
Good for the economy, for the heart maybe,
When culture yields to curiosity.
❓ Riddle
German:
Ich bringe Menschen aus der Ferne,
an Orte, die sie sehen gerne.
Ich fülle Betten, schaffe Geld,
bin wichtig für die ganze Welt.
Man nennt mich auch Tourismus oft,
doch mein alter Name hat mehr Wucht.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I bring people from afar,
to places they like to view near and far.
I fill beds, create wealth,
I'm important for the whole world's health.
They often call me 'Tourismus' too,
but my older name has more ado.
What am I?
Solution: der Fremdenverkehr
💡 More about the Word
Word Composition: The word is composed of:
- Fremde(n): Refers to people who are not resident in the place ('strangers' or 'foreigners'). The '-n' is a linking element ('Fugen-n').
- Verkehr: Here refers to the movement and stay of people, not primarily to means of transport ('traffic' in a broader sense).
The term originated in the 19th century when travel became more popular and people began to record its economic aspects.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Fremdenverkehr?
The word Fremdenverkehr is masculine. The correct article is der. It is typically used in the singular (e.g., der Fremdenverkehr, des Fremdenverkehrs).