der
Kämmerer
💰 What does "der Kämmerer" mean?
Der Kämmerer is a masculine noun with two main meanings:
- Modern: The head of the financial administration of a municipality or city (Finanzdezernent, Stadtkämmerer) - essentially the treasurer or chief financial officer of a local government. This person is responsible for the budget, taxes, and general financial planning.
- Historical: A high-ranking court official, originally responsible for the private chambers (die Kammer) of a ruler, often also managing their finances (Kammerherr, Schatzmeister - Chamberlain, Treasurer).
⚠️ Note: There is only the masculine form der Kämmerer. The feminine form is die Kämmerin.
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 in Detail
The word "Kämmerer" is a masculine noun. Its declension is as follows:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Kämmerer |
| Genitive | des | Kämmerers |
| Dative | dem | Kämmerer |
| Accusative | den | Kämmerer |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kämmerer |
| Genitive | der | Kämmerer |
| Dative | den | Kämmerern |
| Accusative | die | Kämmerer |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Kämmerer stellte den neuen Haushaltsplan vor. (The treasurer presented the new budget plan. - Modern)
- Als Kämmerer des Königs hatte er großen Einfluss am Hof. (As the king's chamberlain/treasurer, he had great influence at court. - Historical)
- Die Gemeinde sucht einen neuen Kämmerer. (The municipality is looking for a new treasurer.)
- Die Aufgaben des Kämmerers sind vielfältig und verantwortungsvoll. (The tasks of the treasurer are diverse and carry great responsibility.)
💡 How is "Kämmerer" used?
The term Kämmerer is primarily used today in a municipal context to refer to the head of the finance department. It's an official job title.
- At the town hall: "Bitte wenden Sie sich an den Kämmerer, Herrn Müller." ("Please contact the treasurer, Mr. Müller.")
- In the news: "Der Kämmerer warnte vor steigenden Schulden." ("The treasurer warned of rising debts.")
- Historical Context: In texts about the Middle Ages or the early modern period, "Kämmerer" refers to an influential court official.
Comparison: While a Schatzmeister is often responsible for the treasury in clubs or organizations, a Kämmerer has a more specific meaning in public administration (municipality/city) or the historical court context.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of der (masculine 'the') referring to the man who manages the money in the Kammer (chamber/office) – der Kämmerer.
Meaning Mnemonic: The Kämmerer takes care (sounds a bit like 'Kämmerer' without the 'K') of the finances in his Kammer (chamber/office).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- Modern: Finanzchef (finance chief), Finanzvorstand (chief financial officer), Finanzdezernent (head of finance department), Stadtkämmerer (city treasurer), Gemeindekämmerer (municipal treasurer)
- Historical: Schatzmeister (treasurer), Kammerherr (chamberlain), oberster Kämmerer (high chamberlain)
Antonyms (Conceptual)
- (No direct antonyms, but conceptually:)
- Verschwender (spendthrift - someone who spends money instead of managing it)
- Schuldner (debtor - someone who owes money, not manages it)
⚠️ Similar Words
- Kammerjäger: Exterminator (nothing to do with finance!)
- Kämmerchen: Small room (diminutive of Kammer)
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Bürgermeister den Kämmerer: "Haben wir eigentlich noch Geld?"
Antwortet der Kämmerer: "Klar! Nur keine Ahnung, wo..."
Translation: The mayor asks the treasurer: "Do we actually have any money left?"
The treasurer replies: "Sure! Just no idea where..."
📜 Poem about the Kämmerer
Der Kämmerer, ein kluger Mann,
nimmt Zahlen und Bilanzen an.
Er wacht mit strengem, ernstem Blick,
übers kommunale Finanzgeschick.
Ob Steuer, Abgab' oder Lohn,
er kennt den Haushalt, den Etat schon.
Ein Amt mit Last und großer Ehr',
das ist der Posten: Kämmerer.
Translation:
The treasurer, a clever man,
Takes numbers and balances on.
He watches with a strict, serious gaze,
Over municipal finance ways.
Whether tax, levy, or pay,
He knows the budget, the funds for the day.
An office with burden and great honour,
That is the post: the Kämmerer.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich hüte den Schatz der Stadt oder Gemeinde,
bin Herr über Zahlen, für Ausgaben kein Feinde,
solang sie gedeckt sind, das ist meine Pflicht.
Mein Büro ist die Kammer, wer kennt mein Gesicht?
Translation:
I guard the treasure of the city or town,
I'm master of numbers, for expenses no frown,
As long as they're covered, that is my duty.
My office is the chamber, who knows my face's beauty? (Or: who knows who I am?)
Solution: Der Kämmerer (The treasurer/chamberlain)
🌐 Other Information
Word Origin
The word Kämmerer derives directly from the word Kammer, meaning 'chamber'. Originally, 'Kammer' referred to the private rooms of a ruler or a room for storing treasures (Schatzkammer - treasury). The Kämmerer was therefore the person responsible for these chamber(s) and their contents (often finances).
Historical Role
In the Middle Ages and the early modern period, the office of the Kämmerer (often also called Oberstkämmerer or Kammerherr) was one of the most important court offices. This position often came with significant political influence, as the Kämmerer had direct access to the ruler and controlled their personal and state finances.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kämmerer?
The word "Kämmerer" is always masculine. The correct article is der: der Kämmerer, des Kämmerers.