der  Imker

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɪmkɐ/

🐝 What exactly is an Imker?

An Imker (noun, masculine) is a person who keeps and breeds honeybees, either professionally or as a hobby. The main goal is often to harvest honey and other bee products like wax or propolis, but pollination of plants also plays an important role.

The word is exclusively used with the article der, as it refers to a male person. The feminine form is die Imkerin.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Imker

The word "Imker" is a masculine noun. It follows the weak declension (n-declension) in most cases, except for the genitive singular, which is a peculiarity.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Imker kümmert sich liebevoll um seine Bienenvölker. (The beekeeper lovingly cares for his bee colonies.)
2. Das Wissen des Imkers über Bienen ist beeindruckend. (The beekeeper's knowledge about bees is impressive.)
3. Wir kaufen unseren Honig direkt beim Imker. (We buy our honey directly from the beekeeper. - 'beim' = bei dem)
4. Hast du den Imker schon nach dem neuen Honig gefragt? (Have you already asked the beekeeper about the new honey?)
5. Die Imker treffen sich regelmäßig zum Erfahrungsaustausch. (The beekeepers meet regularly to exchange experiences.)
6. Die Arbeit der Imker ist wichtig für die Umwelt. (The beekeepers' work is important for the environment.)
7. Der Verein hilft den Imkern bei der Bekämpfung von Bienenkrankheiten. (The association helps the beekeepers fight bee diseases.)
8. Man sieht die Imker oft in Schutzkleidung bei den Bienenstöcken. (You often see the beekeepers in protective clothing near the beehives.)

🍯 How and When to Use "Imker"?

The word "Imker" is used to describe a person who keeps bees.

• Profession or Hobby: It can refer to both a professional occupation and a leisure activity. Example: "Mein Nachbar ist Hobby-Imker." (My neighbor is a hobby beekeeper.)
• Context: People talk about Imker in relation to bees (Bienen), honey production (Honigproduktion), beekeeping (Bienenzucht), nature (Natur), and agriculture (Landwirtschaft).
• Distinction: An Imker specifically focuses on honeybees, unlike a general "animal keeper" (Tierpfleger) or "farmer" (Landwirt).
• Feminine Form: For women, the form "die Imkerin" (plural: "die Imkerinnen") is used.

💡 Mnemonics for "der Imker"

Article Mnemonic: Remember that the Imker is usually a man (traditionally), and masculine job titles in German often take the article "der". Der Mann, der Imker.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word "Imker" comes from the old German word "Imme" for bee. So, an Imker is someone who cares for "Immen" (bees). Imagine someone who takes care (sounds like 'ker') of bees in (sounds like 'Im') their hives.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Synonyms (Words with similar meaning):

• Bienenzüchter: Very similar, emphasizes the breeding aspect (Zucht = breeding).
• Bienenhalter: Emphasizes the aspect of keeping/owning bees (halten = to keep).
• Zeidler (historical): An old term for forest beekeepers who collected honey from wild or semi-wild bees.

Antonyms (Opposite terms):

There isn't a direct antonym for "Imker". Depending on the context, one might refer to someone who combats bees (e.g., Schädlingsbekämpfer - pest controller), but this isn't a true opposite.

Words that could be confused:

• Gärtner: Gardener - cares for plants, not bees (although they collaborate!).
• Landwirt: Farmer - engages in agriculture on a larger scale, but might also practice beekeeping.

😄 A Little Joke

Richter zum Imker: "Angeklagter, Sie haben zugegeben, dem Opfer einen Bienenkorb über den Kopf gestülpt zu haben. Sagen Sie uns, was ist dann passiert?"
Imker: "Nicht viel, Herr Richter. Ein bisschen Gesumme und Gebrumme, dann sind sie eingeschlafen."

Translation:

Judge to the beekeeper: "Defendant, you admitted to putting a beehive over the victim's head. Tell us, what happened then?"
Beekeeper: "Not much, Your Honor. A bit of humming and buzzing, then they fell asleep."

📜 A Poem about the Imker

Der Imker, still und sehr bedacht,
hält bei den Bienen treulich Wacht.
Mit Hut und Schleier, ganz in Weiß,
sammelt er den Honig süß und heiß.
Er pflegt die Völker, stark und schwach,
unterm Schuppen oder Hausdach.
Ein Hüter der Natur, so klein,
lässt uns am Summen uns erfreu'n.

Translation:

The beekeeper, quiet and very thoughtful,
faithfully keeps watch over the bees.
With hat and veil, all in white,
he collects the honey, sweet and bright.
He tends the colonies, strong and weak,
under the shed or roof peak.
A guardian of nature, so small,
lets us enjoy the buzzing call.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich trage einen Schleier, doch heirate nicht.
Ich arbeite mit Tausenden, doch bin kein Fabrikant.
Ich sorge für Süßes, doch bin kein Bäcker.
Ich höre viel Summen, doch bin kein Musiker.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:

I wear a veil, but do not marry.
I work with thousands, but am not a manufacturer.
I provide sweetness, but am not a baker.
I hear much buzzing, but am not a musician.

Who am I?

Solution: Der Imker (The Beekeeper)

🌱 Other Information

Word Origin (Etymology): The word "Imker" derives from the Middle High German word "imbe" or Old High German "imbi", meaning "swarm of bees" or "bee". Thus, an Imker is literally a "bee-maker" or "bee-carer".

Importance for the Environment: Beekeepers (Imker) play a crucial role in the ecosystem because their bees contribute to biodiversity and securing crop yields through the pollination of plants.