der / das  Kader

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkaːdɐ/

🎯 What does "Kader" mean?

The German word "Kader" can have two articles, der and das. They mostly share the same core meaning but have regional differences:

• der Kader (masculine): This is the most common form in Germany. It refers to a select group of people, usually with special skills or for a specific task. Typical contexts include:
  • ⚽ Sport: The entire roster of players on a team (e.g., Nationalkader - national squad, Bundesligakader - Bundesliga squad).
  • 🏛️ Politics/Administration: A group of officials or leaders (e.g., Parteikader - party cadre, Führungskader - leadership cadre).
  • 🎖️ Military: The core personnel of a unit, serving as a framework for mobilization.
• das Kader (neuter): This form is primarily used in Austria and sometimes in Switzerland. It has the same meaning as "der Kader", especially in a sports context. In Germany, using "das Kader" is considered non-standard or at least very unusual.

🚨 Attention: Although the meaning is often identical, the choice of article strongly depends on geographical usage. In Germany, you should primarily use der Kader.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der and das Kader

Here is the declension for both variants:

Declension "der Kader" (masculine)

Declension "das Kader" (neuter)

(Note: Primarily used in Austria/Switzerland)

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Trainer stellte den Kader für das nächste Spiel zusammen. (The coach put together the squad for the next game.)
2. Sie gehört zum engsten Kader der Parteiführung. (She belongs to the inner cadre of the party leadership.)
3. Das österreichische Nationalteam hat das Kader bereits nominiert. (The Austrian national team has already nominated the squad. - Austrian usage)
4. Viele junge Talente hoffen auf einen Platz im Kader. (Many young talents hope for a place in the squad.)

💡 How to use Kader correctly?

The use of "Kader" depends on the context and region:

• Standard German (Germany): Use der Kader for sports teams, political or military groups, and management personnel in companies. It emphasizes belonging to a selected, often performance-based group.
• Austria/Switzerland: Here, das Kader is very common in the sports domain and is considered correct locally.

Distinction from similar words:

• Mannschaft/Team: Often synonymous with "der Kader" in sports, but "Kader" can also refer to the extended circle (incl. substitutes) or a selection across several teams (e.g., Nationalkader). "Team" often emphasizes cohesion more.
• Belegschaft: Refers to all employees of a company, not just the leadership or a special group like the "Kader".
• Gruppe: A more general term; "Kader" implies a more specific selection or function.

People often talk about the "enger Kader" (core team) or "erweiterter Kader" (extended squad).

🧠 Memory Aids for Kader

For the article:
Think of the dominant (masculine) captain (der Kapitän) who leads der Kader. (For der Kader)
Or: Austria is neutral, like its preference for das Kader. (For das Kader - regional variant)

For the meaning:
A Kader is like a frame (French: cadre) that encloses the most important people or players. It's the core or 'cadre'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Watch out for confusion: Do not confuse with der Kadaver (corpse, cadaver)!

😄 A little Joke

Auf Deutsch: Fragt der Trainer den neuen Spieler: "Sind Sie im Bilde über unseren Kader?" Antwortet der Spieler: "Nein, aber ich stehe gern Modell!"

In English: The coach asks the new player: "Are you in the picture about our squad?" (Idiom: Are you informed?). The player replies: "No, but I'd gladly pose for a picture!" (Literal interpretation)

📜 Little Poem about the Kader

Auf Deutsch:
Der Trainer schaut, die Liste lang,
Wer kommt ins Team, wer hat den Drang?
Der Kader steht, die Auswahl klar,
Für Sieg und Ehre, Jahr für Jahr.
Ob Fußballfeld, ob Politik,
Ein starker Kader ist das Glück.

In English:
The coach looks, the list is long,
Who joins the team, who feels the throng?
The squad is set, the choice is clear,
For victory and honor, year by year.
Be it football field or politics' trick,
A strong cadre is fortune's kick.

🧩 Riddle Time

Auf Deutsch:
Ich bin kein Einzelkämpfer, doch auch nicht jeder Mann,
bin eine Auswahl, die viel leisten kann.
Im Sport, im Job, beim Militär geschätzt,
wer zu mir gehört, wird oft gut eingesetzt.
In Österreich sagt man auch "das" zu mir,
doch meistens bin ich männlich hier.

Was bin ich?
... Der Kader (oder das Kader)

In English:
I'm not a lone fighter, yet not every man,
I am a selection that performs to plan.
Valued in sports, in jobs, in military might,
those who belong to me are often placed just right.
In Austria, they also call me "das", it's true,
But mostly I am masculine for you.

What am I?
... Der Kader (or das Kader) (the squad/cadre)

🌍 Other Interesting Facts

Etymology: The word "Kader" comes from the French word cadre, which originally meant "frame" or "square". In a military context, it referred to the framework or structure of a unit. This meaning was then transferred to other areas like politics and sports.

Compounds: Common compound words are Nationalkader (national squad), Bundeskader (federal squad), Jugendkader (youth squad), Führungskader (leadership cadre), Kaderathlet (squad athlete), Kaderplanung (squad planning).