der
Häftling
📖 What exactly is a 'Häftling'?
Der Häftling (plural: die Häftlinge) refers to a person who is in Haft (custody, imprisonment), meaning they are locked up in a prison or a similar institution. It's the general term for someone deprived of their liberty, usually based on a court order (Untersuchungshaft - pre-trial detention or Strafhaft - imprisonment as punishment).
Although the word is masculine (der Häftling), it can refer to people of any gender if the context suggests it. The explicit feminine form is die Häftlingin.
🚨 Attention: The term is relatively neutral but can carry negative connotations depending on the context. Alternatives like Insasse (inmate) or Gefangener (prisoner) are sometimes preferred.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ling → always masculine.
Caution: Words ending in '-ling' are always masculine, but words ending in '-ing' are usually neutral, like 'das Marketing'.
🧐 Grammar: Declining 'der Häftling'
The noun "Häftling" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Häftling |
| Genitive | des | Häftlings |
| Dative | dem | Häftling |
| Accusative | den | Häftling |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Häftlinge |
| Genitive | der | Häftlinge |
| Dative | den | Häftlingen |
| Accusative | die | Häftlinge |
Example Sentences
- Der Häftling wurde in seine Zelle zurückgebracht.
(The prisoner was brought back to his cell.) - Die Rechte des Häftlings müssen gewahrt werden.
(The rights of the prisoner must be protected.) - Dem Häftling wurde Besuch erlaubt.
(The prisoner was allowed visitors.) - Die Wärter beobachteten den Häftling genau.
(The guards watched the prisoner closely.) - Die Häftlinge traten zum Hofgang an.
(The prisoners lined up for yard time.)
🗣️ How to Use 'Häftling'?
The term "Häftling" is mainly used in the context of the Justiz (justice system), Strafvollzug (penal system), and Gefängnisse (prisons).
- Context: You hear about Häftlinge in news reports about trials, discussions about the criminal justice system, or in movies and books set in prisons.
- Formality: It's a rather formal and factual term found in official documents or reports.
- Alternatives:
- Gefangener: Very similar, often used synonymously. Sometimes Gefangener is perceived as slightly broader (e.g., also Kriegsgefangener - prisoner of war).
- Insasse: Refers to someone housed in an institution (not just prison, also e.g., psychiatric hospital), often sounds more neutral or bureaucratic.
- Sträfling: Rather archaic and often negatively connotated, emphasizing the serving of a sentence (Strafe).
⚠️ One should use the term sensitively, as it describes individuals in difficult life circumstances.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article 'der': Think that a Häftling is often a man (though women exist), and many German person/profession nouns ending in -ling are masculine (like Lehrling - apprentice, Schmetterling - butterfly). So: der Häftling.
Meaning: The word comes from "Haft" (custody/imprisonment). Someone in Haft is a Häftling. The suffix "-ling" often denotes a person associated with a state or action (like Prüfling – someone being examined).
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Gefangener: (Prisoner) Very common synonym, often interchangeable.
- Insasse: (Inmate) Person in an institution (not only prison).
- Sträfling: (Convict) Rather archaic, emphasizes the punishment.
- Verurteilter: (Convicted person) Person sentenced by court (doesn't necessarily have to be imprisoned yet).
- Knacki (Slang): (Jailbird, con) Colloquial and often derogatory.
Risk of Confusion?
Sometimes "Haftpflicht" (liability insurance) might be confused with "Haft" (custody), but "Häftling" is clearly linked to imprisonment.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie die Bank überfallen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Die Bank hat zuerst angefangen – sie hat mein Konto überfallen!"
(Okay, the defendant isn't a 'Häftling' yet, but maybe soon!) 😉
Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you rob the bank?"
The defendant answers: "The bank started it – it robbed my account!"
📜 Poem about the 'Häftling'
Hinter Mauern, kalt und grau,
lebt der Häftling, Tag für Tag so rau.
Die Freiheit fern, die Zeit verrinnt,
ein Leben, das im Schatten beginnt.
Der Schlüssel rasselt, die Tür fällt zu,
Stille herrscht, kaum ein Laut dazu.
Ein Mensch, gefangen, sucht nach Licht,
der Häftling hofft, vergisst es nicht.
Translation:
Behind walls, cold and grey,
lives the prisoner, day by harsh day.
Freedom distant, time flows past,
a life that in shadow is cast.
The key rattles, the door slams shut,
Silence reigns, hardly a sound but.
A human, captured, seeking light,
the prisoner hopes, doesn't forget it quite.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich trage keine Krone, doch bin nicht frei.
Ich wohne hinter Gittern, wer bin ich, sag herbei?
Mein Name endet auf "-ling", mein Artikel ist maskulin.
Ich sitze meine Zeit ab, bis ich wieder draußen bin.
Wer bin ich?
... Der Häftling
Translation:
I wear no crown, yet I'm not free.
I live behind bars, tell me, who could I be?
My name ends in "-ling", my article is masculine.
I serve my time until I'm out again.
Who am I?
... The prisoner (der Häftling)
💡 Other Interesting Info
Word Composition
The word "Häftling" is composed of:
- Haft: The state of being detained, imprisonment, custody.
- -ling: A suffix often denoting persons subject to a condition or action (cf. Lehrling - apprentice, Prüfling - examinee, Flüchtling - refugee).
Historical Context
The term and the treatment of Häftlinge have changed significantly throughout history, moving from pure punishment towards concepts of rehabilitation (at least ideally).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Häftling?
The German word Häftling is masculine. The correct article is der Häftling. The feminine form is die Häftlingin, and the plural is die Häftlinge.