der
Jungunternehmer
💡 What exactly is a Jungunternehmer?
A Jungunternehmer is a person, usually young, who has founded their own company or is in the process of founding one. The term often emphasizes the innovative character and the risk associated with a new business venture.
The word is specifically masculine (Maskulinum). The feminine form is die Jungunternehmerin.
It is composed of:
- jung: refers to the age or the newness of the company.
- Unternehmer: a person who owns and runs a business (entrepreneur).
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 of 'der Jungunternehmer' in Detail
The noun 'Jungunternehmer' is masculine and follows the weak N-declension (with the exception of the genitive singular, which is often formed strongly as well).
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Jungunternehmer |
| Genitive | des | Jungunternehmers / Jungunternehmers |
| Dative | dem | Jungunternehmer |
| Accusative | den | Jungunternehmer |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Jungunternehmer |
| Genitive | der | Jungunternehmer |
| Dative | den | Jungunternehmern |
| Accusative | die | Jungunternehmer |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Jungunternehmer präsentierte seine innovative Idee.
(The young entrepreneur presented his innovative idea.) - Die Förderung richtet sich speziell an junge Jungunternehmer.
(The funding is specifically aimed at young entrepreneurs.) - Ich habe mit dem Jungunternehmer über seine Wachstumspläne gesprochen.
(I spoke with the young entrepreneur about his growth plans.) - Die Jury zeichnete den Jungunternehmer für sein Engagement aus.
(The jury awarded the young entrepreneur for his commitment.)
🚀 When to use Jungunternehmer?
The term 'Jungunternehmer' is mainly used in economic and professional contexts:
- Business News: Reports about start-ups, the founder scene, innovations.
- Funding: In connection with programs supporting business start-ups.
- Networking Events: Meetings and conferences for young founders.
- General Description: To characterize a person who has recently started a business and is often seen as dynamic and willing to take risks.
⚠️ Note: The age is not strictly defined, but usually refers to people under 40 or founders of companies that haven't been on the market for long. Sometimes the term is also used to distinguish founders from established entrepreneurs.
The feminine form is die Jungunternehmerin.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article 'der': Think of 'DER Boss', 'DER Founder', 'DER Man' starting the company – 'der Jungunternehmer' is also a man (masculine).
Meaning: Imagine a 'young' man (Jung-) energetically holding up a sign saying 'My Unternehmen (company)' (-unternehmer). He is a 'Jungunternehmer' (young entrepreneur).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Gründer: General term for someone who founds something (often a company).
- Start-up-Gründer: More specific for founders of (mostly tech-oriented) start-ups.
- Existenzgründer: Emphasizes starting a self-employed professional existence.
- Nachwuchsunternehmer: Similar to Jungunternehmer, emphasizes the next generation.
Antonyms (opposites):
- Etablierter Unternehmer: Someone with a long-established, successful company.
- Erfahrener Geschäftsmann / Geschäftsfrau: Person with extensive business experience.
- Konzernchef: Head of a large, established corporation (opposite of a small start-up).
- Angestellter: Employee, someone who is not self-employed.
😄 A Little Chuckle
Fragt ein Investor den Jungunternehmer: "Und was machen Sie, wenn Ihre Idee nicht funktioniert?"
Antwortet der Jungunternehmer: "Kein Problem, ich habe noch mindestens zehn weitere in der Schublade – das Problem ist nur, die Schublade zu finden!"
An investor asks the young entrepreneur: "And what will you do if your idea doesn't work?"
The young entrepreneur replies: "No problem, I have at least ten more in the drawer – the only problem is finding the drawer!"
✍️ A Poem for Founders
Mit Mut und frischer Kraft,
Der Jungunternehmer schafft.
Eine Idee, ein heller Plan,
Fängt er beherzt zu wirken an.
Risiko? Ja, das ist dabei,
Doch größer ist der Drang, zu sein frei.
Er baut und werkelt, Tag und Nacht,
Bis seine Vision zum Leben erwacht.
With courage and fresh strength,
The young entrepreneur creates.
An idea, a bright plan,
He begins to work with heart.
Risk? Yes, that's involved,
But greater is the urge to be free.
He builds and works, day and night,
Until his vision comes to life.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bin oft jung, doch alt an Ideen,
Man kann mich gründen und wachsen sehen.
Ich trage Risiko, hoffe auf Lohn,
Bin Chef meiner Firma, auf eigenem Thron.
Wer bin ich?
I am often young, but old in ideas,
One can see me founded and growing.
I carry risk, hope for reward,
Am boss of my company, on my own throne.
Who am I?
(Solution: der Jungunternehmer)
🧩 Word Components & Trivia
Word Composition:
The word 'Jungunternehmer' is a compound noun, made up of:
- jung (adjective): describing age or newness
- Unternehmer (noun, masculine): person who runs a company (entrepreneur)
Cultural Context: The term is widely used in German-speaking countries and is often positively associated with innovation, dynamism, and the start-up culture. There are numerous funding programs and networks specifically targeting this group.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Jungunternehmer?
The noun 'Jungunternehmer' is masculine. The correct article is der: der Jungunternehmer.