der
Jubilar
🥳 What Exactly is a Jubilar?
Der Jubilar is a male person who is celebrating an anniversary or jubilee (das Jubiläum). This could be a birthday (especially a significant one like the 50th), a wedding anniversary, a work anniversary, or another important recurring event.
It refers to the person who is the center of attention at the celebration and is being honored.
The female form is die Jubilarin.
🚨 Attention: The word always refers to the person having the anniversary, not the guests congratulating them (die Gratulanten).
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.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Jubilar
The word "Jubilar" is a masculine noun.
Declension of 'der Jubilar' (Declension)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Jubilar |
| Genitive | des | Jubilars |
| Dative | dem | Jubilar |
| Accusative | den | Jubilar |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Jubilare |
| Genitive | der | Jubilare |
| Dative | den | Jubilaren |
| Accusative | die | Jubilare |
Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)
- Der Jubilar freute sich über die vielen Geschenke.
(The honoree was happy about the many gifts.) - Wir gratulieren dem Jubilar herzlich zum 50. Geburtstag.
(We warmly congratulate the honoree on his 50th birthday.) - Alle Augen waren auf den Jubilar gerichtet.
(All eyes were on the honoree.) - Die Reden für die Jubilare waren sehr bewegend.
(The speeches for the honorees were very moving.)
🎉 When to Use 'Jubilar'?
The term "Jubilar" is typically used in a festive or formal context when someone celebrates a special anniversary (ein Jubiläum):
- Birthdays (Geburtstage): Especially milestone birthdays (e.g., 50th, 60th, 70th).
- Wedding Anniversaries (Hochzeitstage): Silver (Silberhochzeit - 25 years), Golden (Goldene Hochzeit - 50 years), or Diamond (Diamantene Hochzeit - 60 years).
- Work Anniversaries (Dienstjubiläen): Long-term service in a company or organization (e.g., 10, 25, or 40 years).
- Club Anniversaries (Vereinsjubiläen): Long-term membership in a club.
It's an expression of honor and appreciation for the person celebrating the jubilee. In everyday language for less formal occasions, people often just say "Geburtstagskind" (literally 'birthday child', used even for adults) or mention the occasion directly ("Er feiert heute sein 25-jähriges Dienstjubiläum" - He's celebrating his 25th work anniversary today).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Mann (the man) who lets out a Jubelruf (cheer) because he's been there for a large (long) time – that's der Jubilar.
Meaning Mnemonic: Someone having a Jubiläum (jubilee) is cheered for (zugejubelt) – that's the Jubilar (the person being cheered).
↔️ Opposites and Similar Words: Der Jubilar
Synonyms (Similar Words)
- Gefeierter: More general term for someone being celebrated.
- Geburtstagskind: Specifically for birthdays, often more informal.
- Ehrengast: Guest of honor; a person being specially honored, but not necessarily an honoree celebrating an anniversary.
- Jahrestagskind (rare): Less common, emphasizes the anniversary aspect.
⚠️ Be careful with "Jubilar" vs. "Jubiläum": Das Jubiläum is the event (the celebration), der Jubilar is the person.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Enkel den Opa, den Jubilar zum 80. Geburtstag: "Opa, wie fühlt man sich so als achtfacher Teenager?"
(The grandson asks his grandpa, the honoree on his 80th birthday: "Grandpa, how does it feel to be an octuple teenager?")
📜 A Poem for the Jubilar
Ein Hoch dem Mann, dem Jubilar,
Ein Meilenstein ist heute wahr.
So viele Jahre sind vollbracht,
Auf ihn wird heut' ein Toast gebracht!
Gesundheit, Glück und froher Mut,
Dem Jubilar steht alles gut!
(A cheer to the man, the honoree,
A milestone is true today.
So many years have been accomplished,
A toast is raised to him today!
Health, happiness, and cheerful spirit,
Everything suits the honoree well!)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich steh im Mittelpunkt heut' hier,
Bekomm' Geschenke, Glück von dir.
Ein runder Tag, ein Ehrentag,
Wer bin ich, wenn ich fragen mag?
(Und ich bin männlich, das ist klar!)
(I stand in the center here today,
Receive gifts, good fortune from you.
A milestone day, a day of honor,
Who am I, if I may ask?
(And I am male, that is clear!))
Solution: der Jubilar
💡 More Tidbits
Word Origin (Wortherkunft): The word "Jubilar" comes from the Latin word iubilaeus (jubilee year) or iubilare (to cheer, rejoice). Originally, it referred to the biblical jubilee year.
Female Form (Weibliche Form): The correct female form is "die Jubilarin". Example: Die Jubilarin wurde mit Blumen überrascht. (The female honoree was surprised with flowers.)
Combinations (Kombinationen): The word is often combined with the occasion, e.g., Geburtstagsjubilar (birthday honoree), Dienstjubilar (work anniversary honoree), Hochzeitsjubilar (wedding anniversary honoree).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Jubilar?
The word "Jubilar" is always masculine. The correct article is der. It refers to a male person celebrating an anniversary or jubilee (e.g., birthday, work anniversary). The female form is "die Jubilarin".