der  Hausherr

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhaʊsˌhɛʁ/

🏠 What does "der Hausherr" mean?

The term der Hausherr refers to a male person who is in charge of a house or apartment, or who is the owner or main tenant. It has several nuances:

• Owner/Resident: The male person who owns a house and/or lives in it and exercises control over it. Often the head of the family in the traditional sense.
• Landlord: The man who owns and rents out a property. In this context, he is the master (Herr) of the rented property.
• Host: The man who receives and entertains guests in his house.

The word emphasizes authority or control over the house (Haus). The female equivalent is die Hausherrin.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Der Hausherr in Detail

Der Hausherr is a masculine noun. It belongs to the weak N-declension (with the exception of the genitive singular).

Example Sentences

1. Der Hausherr begrüßte seine Gäste persönlich an der Tür. (The host greeted his guests personally at the door. - Nominative Singular)
2. Das ist die Entscheidung des Hausherrn. (That is the decision of the master of the house. - Genitive Singular)
3. Ich muss mit dem Hausherrn über die Reparaturen sprechen. (I need to talk to the landlord about the repairs. - Dative Singular)
4. Wir haben den neuen Hausherrn noch nicht kennengelernt. (We haven't met the new owner/resident yet. - Accusative Singular)
5. Die Hausherren der Nachbarschaft trafen sich zur Besprechung. (The male homeowners of the neighborhood met for a discussion. - Nominative Plural)

🗣️ How to use "Hausherr"?

Der Hausherr is often used to describe the person who holds responsibility for or ownership of a house. The tone can range from neutral to slightly formal or even slightly old-fashioned, depending on the context.

• In everyday life: You might refer to the male head of the household or the owner as the Hausherr. Example: "Frag mal den Hausherrn, ob wir im Garten grillen dürfen." (Ask the master of the house if we can barbecue in the garden.)
• As a landlord: Tenants often refer to their male landlord as 'dem Hausherrn'. Example: "Der Hausherr kommt morgen, um die Heizung zu überprüfen." (The landlord is coming tomorrow to check the heating.)
• As a host: At gatherings, the Hausherr is the man welcoming the guests. Example: "Der Hausherr hat uns einen ausgezeichneten Wein empfohlen." (The host recommended an excellent wine to us.)

Comparison with other words:

• Vermieter: More specific for the person renting out a property. A Hausherr can be the landlord, but also simply the resident/owner.
• Gastgeber: Refers to the role at an event or visit. A Hausherr is often also the Gastgeber in his own home.
• Eigentümer: Emphasizes legal ownership. Hausherr emphasizes authority and role within the house more.

⚠️ The word can sometimes sound a bit patriarchal, as it traditionally denotes the male head of the family. In modern contexts, more neutral terms like "Eigentümer(in)" (owner), "Vermieter(in)" (landlord), or "Gastgeber(in)" (host) are often used, or "die Hausleute" (the house people).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Who is the Lord (der Herr) in the House (das Haus)? Naturally, it's der Hausherr! (The word 'Herr' is masculine).

Meaning Mnemonic: A Hausherr is the Herr (master/lord) who rules over the Haus (house) – whether as owner, landlord, or host.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar, potentially confusing words:

• Hausmeister: Caretaker/Janitor (maintains the house, usually an employee, not the master).
• Haushälter: Male housekeeper (rare).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Gast den Hausherrn: "Sagen Sie mal, spukt es in diesem alten Haus?"
Antwortet der Hausherr: "Unsinn! In all den 300 Jahren, die ich hier wohne, habe ich noch nie einen Geist gesehen!"

Translation:

The guest asks the host: "Tell me, is this old house haunted?"
The host replies: "Nonsense! In all the 300 years I've lived here, I've never seen a ghost!"

📜 Poem about the Hausherr

Im eignen Reich, da thront er stolz,
Der Hausherr, aus besondrem Holz.
Er schließt die Tür, er wacht, er sorgt,
Sein Wort im Haus ist unverborgt.

Ob Gast, ob Freund, er heißt willkommen,
Hat Rat und Tat, ist nie beklommen.
Der Herr des Hauses, stark und schlicht,
Verleiht dem Heim ein Angesicht.

Translation:

In his own realm, he sits enthroned and proud,
The master of the house, of special wood [metaphor for character].
He locks the door, he watches, takes care,
His word in the house is unchallenged there.

Be it guest or friend, he welcomes them near,
Has advice and action, never shows fear.
The master of the house, strong and plain,
Gives the home its face, again and again.

🧩 Who am I? A Riddle

Ich trage den Schlüssel, mir gehört der Raum,
Ich biete Schutz, erfülle manchen Traum.
Ich lade gern ein, doch setze die Regel,
Bin oft der Vermieter, hisse die Segel
Für Ordnung und Wohl in den eigenen vier Wänden.
Wer sorgt und wer wacht mit kundigen Händen?

Translation:

I carry the key, the room belongs to me,
I offer protection, fulfill many a plea [dream].
I like to invite, but I set the rule,
Am often the landlord, setting sail for the pool
Of order and well-being within my own four walls.
Who cares and who watches with skillful hands for all?

(Solution: Der Hausherr / The master of the house / landlord / host)

💡 Other Interesting Info

Word Composition:

The word "Hausherr" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Haus: Refers to the building or household.
• Herr: Denotes a male person with authority or possession (Master, Lord, Mr.).

Cultural Context:

The term reflects traditional family and property structures where the man was often considered the head and owner. While still used today, it's often replaced by more neutral terms or supplemented by "Hausherrin" for women.

Related Terms:

• Hausherrin: The female counterpart.
• Hausrecht: The right of the Hausherr (or Hausherrin) to determine who may enter the property and who must leave (domestic authority).