der
Juwelier
💎 What Exactly is a Juwelier?
The German term der Juwelier has two main meanings:
- The Person: A Juwelier is a specialist (usually male; the female form is die Juwelierin) who crafts, repairs, appraises, or trades in jewelry and gemstones. It's a recognized profession often requiring an apprenticeship as a Goldschmied (goldsmith) or similar qualification.
- The Shop: A Juwelier (or Juweliergeschäft) is a store where jewelry, watches, and gemstones are sold. The masculine article "der" is commonly used here as well (e.g., "Ich gehe zum Juwelier." - I'm going to the jeweler's.), although one could also say "das Juweliergeschäft" (the jewelry store).
🚨 Although the article "der" is fixed, it's important to understand from the context whether the person or the shop is meant.
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 Under the Loupe: Der Juwelier
The noun "Juwelier" is masculine and takes the article der. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Juwelier |
| Genitive | des | Juweliers |
| Dative | dem | Juwelier |
| Accusative | den | Juwelier |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Juweliere |
| Genitive | der | Juweliere |
| Dative | den | Juwelieren |
| Accusative | die | Juweliere |
Example Sentences
- Der Juwelier beriet das Paar bei der Auswahl der Eheringe. (The jeweler advised the couple on selecting wedding rings.) - Person
- Wir haben die Uhr zur Reparatur zum Juwelier gebracht. (We took the watch to the jeweler's for repair.) - Shop
- Des Juweliers Schaufenster glänzte im Sonnenlicht. (The jeweler's shop window sparkled in the sunlight.) - Genitive, Shop or Person
- Die Polizei befragte den Juwelier nach dem Überfall. (The police questioned the jeweler after the robbery.) - Person
- Viele Juweliere bieten auch Gravuren an. (Many jewelers/jewelry stores also offer engravings.) - Plural, Shops or Persons
💡 How "Juwelier" is Used
"Der Juwelier" is commonly used in everyday language when talking about buying, repairing, or appraising jewelry and watches.
- Context Person: You refer to the Juwelier as a job title or when talking about a specific person in this profession. Example: "Mein Onkel ist Juwelier." (My uncle is a jeweler.)
- Context Shop: Often, "der Juwelier" is used synonymously for the shop. People say "Ich gehe zum Juwelier" (I'm going to the jeweler's), not necessarily "Ich gehe zum Juweliergeschäft" (I'm going to the jewelry store).
- Distinction: A Goldschmied (goldsmith) primarily focuses on craftsmanship (making, repairing), while a Juwelier often concentrates more on trade and appraisal, although they might also perform craft tasks. The lines can be blurry.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of DER Man, DER expert for jewels. Many masculine job titles in German are der.
Meaning Mnemonic: A Juwelier deals with Juwelen (jewels). The word itself strongly hints at its meaning.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Goldschmied: Goldsmith; artisan who makes/repairs jewelry (often more specialized).
- Schmuckhändler: Jewelry dealer; person/shop trading jewelry (broader term).
- Uhrmacher: Watchmaker; specialist for watches (can work in or own a jewelry store).
- Juweliergeschäft: Jewelry store; explicitly the retail location.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Kunde / Käufer: Customer / Buyer; the person shopping at the jeweler's.
- Laie: Layperson; someone without expert knowledge of jewelry/gemstones.
- (In trade context) Großhändler vs. Einzelhändler (Juwelier): Wholesaler vs. Retailer (Jeweler); the jeweler is usually a retailer.
⚠️ Be cautious with Bijouterie: This often refers to a shop for fashion jewelry (Modeschmuck), not necessarily high-quality fine jewelry like at a Juwelier.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Juwelier so gute Laune?
Weil er immer von glänzenden Aussichten umgeben ist!
(Why is the jeweler in such a good mood?
Because he's always surrounded by brilliant prospects/sparkling views!)
📜 A Little Poem
Der Juwelier, mit Kennerblick,
\prüft Stein um Stein, Stück für Stück.
\Gold, Silber, Platin, hell und klar,
\macht Träume wahr, Jahr für Jahr.
\Im Laden funkelt's, groß und klein,
ür dich, für mich, für jedermann fein.
(The jeweler, with an expert's gaze,
Examines gem by gem, piece by piece.
Gold, silver, platinum, bright and clear,
Makes dreams come true, year after year.
In the shop it sparkles, large and small,
For you, for me, fine for one and all.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich handle mit Glanz und feinem Schein,
\mit Ringen, Ketten, edlem Stein.
\Mein Laden lockt mit Pracht und Zier,
\sag, wer bin ich, nun sag es mir!
(I deal in glitter and fine sheen,
With rings and chains and noble stone.
My shop entices with splendor and grace,
Tell me, who am I, tell me my place!)
Solution: Der Juwelier (The Jeweler)
✨ Other Tidbits - Wissenssplitter
Etymology: The word "Juwelier" comes from the French word "joaillier", which in turn derives from "joel" (today "joyau"), meaning "jewel" or "piece of jewelry".
Training (Ausbildung): In Germany, Juwelier is not a protected job title in the sense of a specific, unique apprenticeship. Often, jewelers are trained goldsmiths (Goldschmiede), watchmakers (Uhrmacher), or retail merchants (Kaufleute im Einzelhandel) with the relevant specialization.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Juwelier?
The word "Juwelier" is masculine. The correct article is always der, so it's der Juwelier (singular) and die Juweliere (plural). It refers to both the person (jeweler/jewelry expert/dealer) and the shop (jewelry store).