der
Keeper
🥅 What exactly is a 'Keeper'?
The word der Keeper is a loanword from English (an Anglizismus) and in German almost exclusively refers to the goalkeeper (der Torwart or der Torhüter) in various team sports, especially Fußball (soccer/football), Handball, or Eishockey (ice hockey). It's a colloquial but very common alternative to the native German terms.
Since it refers to a person fulfilling a typically male role (even though women can hold the position, the masculine form is often used generically or gendered forms are applied), the article is der (masculine).
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: Declining 'der Keeper'
The noun der Keeper is masculine. It is usually declined according to the n-declension in sports jargon, although mixed declension is also possible.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Keeper |
| Genitive | des | Keepers |
| Dative | dem | Keeper |
| Accusative | den | Keeper |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Keeper |
| Genitive | der | Keeper |
| Dative | den | Keepern |
| Accusative | die | Keeper |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Keeper hielt den Elfmeter souverän. (The keeper saved the penalty with confidence.)
- Die Leistung des Keepers war heute entscheidend für den Sieg. (The keeper's performance was decisive for the win today.)
- Der Trainer gab dem Keeper neue Anweisungen. (The coach gave the keeper new instructions.)
- Alle feierten den Keeper nach seiner Glanzparade. (Everyone celebrated the keeper after his brilliant save.)
- Die gegnerischen Keeper waren beide sehr stark. (The opposing keepers were both very strong.)
🗣️ How to Use 'Keeper'?
Der Keeper is primarily used in the context of sports like Fußball (soccer/football), Handball, Eishockey (ice hockey), and similar games featuring a goalkeeper position. It's a more informal but widely understood term.
- Context: Sports reporting, conversations among fans, game analysis.
- Alternative terms: der Torwart (neutral, very common), der Torhüter (neutral, slightly more formal), der Tormann (slightly dated, but still understood).
- Style: Ranges from colloquial to standard language within the sports domain.
🚨 Although it's an English word, it has become firmly established in German usage, especially in the sports world.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article 'der': Think of the Keeper often being a strong man (masculine - der Mann) who guards the goal. Der protector of the goal.
Meaning: The English word 'keep' means 'to hold' or 'to guard'. Der Keeper is the person who keeps the ball out of the goal. Easy!
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Same Meaning (Synonyms)
- der Torwart: The most common and neutral term (Tor = goal, Wart = guard).
- der Torhüter: Also very common, sounds slightly more formal (hüten = to guard, to tend).
- der Tormann: A slightly older term (Mann = man).
- der Schlussmann: Emphasizes the position as the last line of defense (Schluss = end, final).
Opposing Roles (Antonyms in Sports)
- der Feldspieler: Any player who is not the goalkeeper (Feld = field, Spieler = player).
- der Stürmer: Player whose main job is to score goals (Sturm = attack; striker), thus the keeper's 'opponent'.
- der Verteidiger: Player who helps the keeper defend against attacks (verteidigen = to defend; defender).
😂 A Little Joke
German: Warum hat der Fußballrasen Angst vor dem Keeper?
Weil er immer alles hält, was auf ihn zukommt!
English Translation: Why is the soccer pitch afraid of the keeper?
Because he always keeps/holds everything that comes his way! (Pun on 'halten' meaning both 'to hold/save' and 'to keep/last')
📜 A Short Poem
German:
Im Tor steht er, bereit und wach,
Der Keeper, Held bei jedem Krach.
Er fliegt, er hechtet, hält den Ball,
Verhindert manchen harten Fall.
Sein Reich ist klein, der Kasten rein,
So soll es für den Sieger sein.
English Translation:
In goal he stands, ready and awake,
The Keeper, hero when things shake.
He flies, he dives, he holds the ball,
Preventing many a harsh fall.
His realm is small, the box kept clean,
So victory's outcome can be seen.
❓ Who am I?
German:
Ich trage Handschuhe, aber bin kein Dieb.
Ich stehe im Netz, aber fange keine Fische.
Mein Ziel ist es, Bälle zu halten, nicht zu werfen.
Wer bin ich?
English Translation:
I wear gloves, but am not a thief.
I stand in a net, but catch no fish.
My goal is to stop balls, not to throw them.
Who am I?
Solution: der Keeper (or der Torwart / the goalkeeper)
💡 Other Interesting Information
Der Keeper is a classic example of an Anglicism that has become firmly established in German sports jargon. Interestingly, the word 'keeper' is used less frequently in English itself compared to 'goalkeeper'. In German, however, 'Keeper' has caught on as a very popular, concise alternative.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Keeper?
The word 'Keeper' is used in German as a loanword from English, meaning 'goalkeeper'. It is masculine, so the correct form is der Keeper. The plural is 'die Keeper'.