der
Kellner
🍽️ What does "der Kellner" mean?
Der Kellner refers to a male person whose job it is to serve guests in a restaurant, café, or similar establishment. This includes taking orders, serving food and drinks, and handling payments.
It is a job title. The feminine form is die Kellnerin (waitress).
⚠️ Attention: Although the term "Bedienung" (service staff) is sometimes used, "Kellner" specifically refers to the male form.
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.
-ner → almost always masculine.
Compare with the category '-er'.
-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 Kellner" in Detail
The noun "Kellner" is masculine. It is declined as follows:
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Kellner |
| Genitive | des | Kellners |
| Dative | dem | Kellner |
| Accusative | den | Kellner |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kellner |
| Genitive | der | Kellner |
| Dative | den | Kellnern |
| Accusative | die | Kellner |
Example Sentences
- Der Kellner brachte uns die Speisekarte.
(The waiter brought us the menu.) - Wir gaben dem Kellner ein großzügiges Trinkgeld.
(We gave the waiter a generous tip.) - Kannst du bitte den Kellner rufen?
(Can you please call the waiter?) - Die Aufgaben des Kellners sind vielfältig.
(The waiter's tasks are diverse.) - Die Kellner in diesem Restaurant sind sehr aufmerksam.
(The waiters in this restaurant are very attentive.)
🗣️ How "Kellner" is used
"Der Kellner" is primarily used in the context of restaurants and food service establishments.
- Typical situations: Placing an order, asking for the bill (die Rechnung), describing service in a restaurant.
- Context: Usually formal or semi-formal, depending on the type of establishment.
- Distinction from other terms:
- Ober (short for Oberkellner - head waiter): Previously often used for the head waiter or generally as a more polite form of address, now somewhat old-fashioned but still understood.
- Bedienung (service staff/server): A more general term that can include both male and female service staff. Often used collectively or in more informal contexts. ("Entschuldigen Sie, Bedienung!" - "Excuse me, server!")
- Servierer/Serviererin (server): Less common than Kellner/Kellnerin, sounds a bit more technical.
You typically get a waiter's attention by saying "Herr Ober!" (traditional, somewhat more formal) or simply by making eye contact and a hand gesture. Shouting "Kellner!" directly can seem impolite.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Kellner"
Article Mnemonic
Remember: It's a male profession, like DER Mann (the man), so it's der Kellner. Many male job titles in German are masculine (der).
Meaning Mnemonic
A Kellner often historically came from the Keller (cellar) to serve wine. Imagine him skillfully bringing drinks up from the 'Keller near' you. (Sound/Wordplay)
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms for Kellner
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Ober (Herr Ober): Traditional, somewhat more formal, often for the head waiter, but also general.
- Bedienung: More general, can be female, more informal (server, service staff).
- Servierer: Less common, more technical term (server).
- Garçon (French): Used in more upscale or older contexts, rather rare.
Similar but Misleading Words
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Ein Gast zum Kellner: "Herr Ober, in meiner Suppe schwimmt eine Fliege!"
Der Kellner: "Keine Sorge, die trinkt nicht viel."
EN: A guest to the waiter: "Waiter, there's a fly swimming in my soup!"
The waiter: "Don't worry, it doesn't drink much."
📜 Poem about the Kellner
DE:
Der Kellner flink, mit weißem Tuch,
nimmt die Bestellung auf, besucht
den Tisch mit Lächeln, Speis und Trank,
erfüllt den Wunsch, sagt höflich Dank.
Von Tisch zu Tisch, sein schneller Lauf,
nimmt leere Teller wieder auf.
Ein Meister seines Fachs, agil,
der Kellner dient mit Stil und Ziel.
EN:
The waiter swift, with cloth so white,
Takes down the order, makes it right.
To tables smiles, brings food and drink,
Fulfills the wish, a thankful blink.
From table unto table flies,
Clears empty plates before your eyes.
A master of his trade, so keen,
The waiter serves, a graceful scene.
❓ Riddle
DE:
Ich trage Teller, heiß und schwer,
und frage höflich: "Bitte sehr?"
Im Restaurant bin ich zu Haus,
serviere drinnen und auch drauß'.
Ich bringe Wein und kühles Bier,
wer bin ich, sag es mir!
EN:
I carry plates, both hot and heavy,
And ask politely, "Are you ready?"
In restaurants, I feel at home,
Serving inside or where guests roam.
I bring the wine and coldest beer,
Who am I? Tell me clear!
Solution: Der Kellner (The waiter)
💡 More about Kellner
Word Origin
The word "Kellner" derives from the word "Keller" (cellar). Originally, the Kellner (or Kellermeister) was the person responsible for the wine cellar and serving the wine. Over time, the meaning expanded to refer to general service staff in the food service industry.
Uniform
The typical uniform (die Berufsbekleidung) for a Kellner can vary but often includes black trousers (eine schwarze Hose), a white shirt (ein weißes Hemd), possibly a waistcoat (eine Weste) or apron (eine Schürze), and sometimes a bow tie (eine Fliege) or tie (eine Krawatte).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kellner?
The word "Kellner" is a masculine job title and therefore takes the article der: der Kellner (the waiter). The feminine form is "die Kellnerin" (the waitress), and the plural is "die Kellner" (the waiters).