der
Fußgänger
🚶 What does "der Fußgänger" mean?
Der Fußgänger is a German noun meaning 'pedestrian' – a person who is walking, as opposed to someone using a vehicle. It's the masculine form but is often used generically for people of any gender (see Usage Notes). The specific feminine form is die Fußgängerin.
There are no different meanings based on the article, as "Fußgänger" always takes the article "der" when referring to a male or generic person.
- Context: Mostly used in the context of traffic, streets, cities, and paths.
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 Deep Dive: Der Fußgänger
The noun "Fußgänger" is masculine and follows the weak N-declension pattern (except for the genitive singular).
Singular Declension
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der Fußgänger | ein Fußgänger | the/a pedestrian |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des Fußgängers | eines Fußgängers | of the/a pedestrian |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem Fußgänger | einem Fußgänger | to/for the/a pedestrian |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den Fußgänger | einen Fußgänger | the/a pedestrian |
Plural Declension
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Fußgänger | Fußgänger | the/Ø pedestrians |
| Genitive | der Fußgänger | Fußgänger | of the/Ø pedestrians |
| Dative | den Fußgängern | Fußgängern | to/for the/Ø pedestrians |
| Accusative | die Fußgänger | Fußgänger | the/Ø pedestrians |
💡 Examples
- Der Fußgänger wartet an der Ampel.
(The pedestrian waits at the traffic light.) - Das Auto musste wegen des Fußgängers bremsen.
(The car had to brake because of the pedestrian.) - Gib dem Fußgänger bitte den Vortritt.
(Please give way to the pedestrian.) - Ich sehe den Fußgänger auf der anderen Straßenseite.
(I see the pedestrian on the other side of the street.) - Die Fußgänger überqueren die Straße am Zebrastreifen.
(The pedestrians cross the street at the zebra crossing.)
🚦 How to Use "Fußgänger"?
"Fußgänger" is used to describe people moving on foot, especially in public spaces and in the context of road traffic.
- Typical Situations: Traffic regulations (Straßenverkehrsordnung), urban planning, describing accidents, everyday movement.
- Generic Masculine: Often, "der Fußgänger" (and the plural "die Fußgänger") is used generically to refer to all people walking, regardless of gender. The explicitly feminine form is "die Fußgängerin" (plural: "die Fußgängerinnen"). In modern texts, gender-neutral language like "Fußgänger\*innen" or the participle form "Fußgehende" (those walking) is also common.
- Distinction: It's important to distinguish pedestrians from road users utilizing vehicles (Autofahrer - car driver, Radfahrer - cyclist, etc.).
- Related Terms: Fußgängerzone (pedestrian zone), Fußgängerampel (pedestrian traffic light), Fußgängerüberweg (pedestrian crossing, zebra crossing).
⚠️ Pay attention to the dative plural ending "-n": "Ich helfe den Fußgängern." (I help the pedestrians.)
🧠 How to Remember "der Fußgänger"
Article Mnemonic (der)
Think of a typical pedestrian as 'der Mann' (the man) who walks. The article 'der' often applies to male persons or professions, and Fußgänger fits this pattern, even when used generically.
Meaning Mnemonic
Break down the word: Fuß means 'foot', and Gänger comes from 'gehen' (to go/walk), with the '-er' suffix indicating a person doing the action. So, a Fußgänger is literally a 'foot-goer' or 'walker'. Easy! 👣🚶♂️
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Passant / Passantin: (passer-by) Often interchangeable, but emphasizes the 'passing by' aspect more.
- Spaziergänger / Spaziergängerin: (stroller) Someone walking for pleasure, not necessarily with a specific destination.
- Wanderer / Wanderin: (hiker) Someone walking, usually in nature over longer distances.
- (Colloquial/dated) Geher / Geherin: (walker) Less common today.
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Fahrer / Fahrerin: (driver) Person driving a vehicle (car, truck, etc.).
- Radfahrer / Radfahrerin: (cyclist) Person riding a bicycle.
- Verkehrsteilnehmer (mit Fahrzeug): (road user with vehicle) General term for anyone not on foot.
- Pilot / Pilotin: (pilot) Person flying an aircraft.
- Kapitän / Kapitänin: (captain) Person commanding a ship.
⚠️ Don't Confuse:
- Fußpflege / Fußpfleger(in): (podiatry / podiatrist or pedicurist) Sounds similar, but relates to foot care, not walking.
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Warum überqueren Fußgänger immer die Straße? Um auf die andere Seite zu kommen! 😉
EN: Why do pedestrians always cross the road? To get to the other side! 😉 (A classic, but always fitting!)
📜 A Short Poem
DE:
Der Fußgänger geht durch die Stadt,
mal langsam, mal im Trab.
Er schaut nach links, er schaut nach rechts,
bevor er über die Straße szechts*.
Auf Wegen, Plätzen, schmal und breit,
ist er zu jeder Tageszeit.
*szechts: (archaic/regional for 'goes')
EN Translation:
The pedestrian walks through the town,
Sometimes slow, sometimes trotting down.
He looks to the left, he looks to the right,
Before crossing the street, day or night.
On paths, in squares, narrow and wide,
He's present at any time or tide.
❓ Riddle Time
DE:
Ich habe Füße, doch keine Schuh'.
Ich bewege mich fort, immerzu.
Auf Straßen und Wegen bin ich zu Haus,
doch fahr' nie mit dem Auto hinaus.
Wer bin ich? ... Der Fußgänger
EN Translation:
I have feet, but wear no shoes.
I move along, I never cruise (in a car).
On streets and paths, I feel at home,
But never drive out on my own.
What am I? ... The pedestrian (der Fußgänger)
🧩 Additional Information
Word Composition
The word "Fußgänger" is a compound noun:
- Fuß: 'Foot' - the body part used for walking.
- Gänger: Derived from the verb "gehen" (to go, to walk) with the suffix "-er", which denotes a person performing the action (similar to Läufer from laufen - runner from to run, or Sänger from singen - singer from to sing).
Cultural Notes
- Fußgängerzonen: Many German cities feature car-free zones in their centers called "Fußgängerzonen" (pedestrian zones), dedicated to shopping and strolling.
- Ampelmännchen: The stylized figures on pedestrian traffic lights (Fußgängerampeln), especially the iconic designs from former East Germany (Ost-Ampelmännchen), are cultural icons in Germany.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Fußgänger?
The word "Fußgänger" means 'pedestrian'. It is always masculine: der Fußgänger (singular), die Fußgänger (plural). The feminine form is "die Fußgängerin".