der  Kieler

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkiːlɐ/

🌍 What does 'der Kieler' mean?

Der Kieler refers to a male inhabitant of the German city of Kiel, the state capital of Schleswig-Holstein.

• 👱‍♂️ Male Person: It specifically refers to a man or boy from Kiel.
• 🏙️ Origin: It indicates belonging to the city of Kiel.

Important Notes:

• 👱‍♀️ The female form is: die Kielerin.
• (Adjective) The word kieler (lowercase) can also be used as an undeclined adjective to express a connection to Kiel (e.g., die kieler Förde - the Kiel Fjord, kieler Sprotten - Kiel sprats). This is a special feature of German demonyms ending in '-er'.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'der Kieler' in Detail

The word 'der Kieler' is a masculine noun derived from the city name 'Kiel'. It is declined like other masculine nouns ending in '-er' that denote a person.

Example Sentences

• Der Kieler freut sich auf die Kieler Woche.
  (The man from Kiel is looking forward to Kiel Week.)
• Ich habe gestern mit einem netten Kieler gesprochen.
  (Yesterday, I spoke with a nice man from Kiel.)
• Die Meinung des Kielers war eindeutig.
  (The opinion of the man from Kiel was clear.)
• Viele Kieler arbeiten am Hafen.
  (Many people from Kiel work at the harbour.)
• Wir haben den Kielern den Weg gezeigt.
  (We showed the people from Kiel the way.)

⛵ When to use 'der Kieler'?

The term 'der Kieler' is used to refer to a male person who was born in or lives in Kiel.

• Everyday language: Used normally when talking about people and their origin. „Mein Nachbar ist Kieler.“ (My neighbour is from Kiel.)
• Reporting: In news or articles about Kiel or its inhabitants. „Ein Kieler gewann den Segelwettbewerb.“ (A man from Kiel won the sailing competition.)
• Identification: People referring to themselves as being from Kiel. „Ich bin stolzer Kieler.“ (I am a proud Kieler.)

Important: Remember to use the female form 'die Kielerin' for women. The plural ('die Kieler') refers to men or a mixed group.

The adjective kieler (lowercase) is often used in fixed expressions or to describe things typical of Kiel:

• die kieler Förde (the Kiel Fjord)
• die kieler Woche (the famous sailing event and summer festival)
• kieler Sprotten (a fish specialty)

Don't confuse 'der Kieler' (person) with the adjective 'kieler'.

💡 Mnemonics for 'Kieler'

For the article 'der': Think of a man (der Mann) who likes to sail; ships have a keel (which sounds like Kiel). Der man with the keel connection is der Kieler.

For the meaning: Imagine someone asking: "Where's he from?" Answer: "From Kiel, he arrived -> he is a Kiel-er." The '-er' ending often denotes a male person from a place.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms (Words with similar meaning):

• Einwohner von Kiel (Inhabitant of Kiel)
• Bürger von Kiel (Citizen of Kiel)
• Mann aus Kiel (Man from Kiel)

Antonyms (Opposites):

There are no direct antonyms. You could describe someone not from Kiel:

• Nicht-Kieler (Non-Kieler)
• Auswärtiger (Outsider, someone not from there)
• Hamburger, Lübecker, Flensburger (Inhabitants of other cities)

Similar but different terms:

• Kielerin: The female form.
• kieler (adjective): Refers to things from Kiel (e.g., kieler Wetter - Kiel weather), is not declined.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Kieler immer einen Rettungsring mit ins Büro?
Damit sie bei der Arbeit nicht untergehen! 😉

(Why do people from Kiel always take a lifebuoy to the office?
So they don't drown in work! 😉)

📜 A Poem about the Kieler

Ein Kieler, stolz am Fördestrand,
Mit Möwenschrei und Sand in der Hand.
Er liebt das Meer, den Wind, die See,
Die Kieler Woche, oh wie schee!
Ob Sonne scheint, ob Regen fällt,
Ein echter Kieler die Treue hält.

(A Kieler, proud on the fjord's shore,
With seagull cries and sand galore.
He loves the sea, the wind, the spray,
Kiel Week, oh what a lovely day!
Whether sun shines or rain descends,
A true Kieler faithfully tends [to his city].)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich wohne im Norden, an der See,
Die Förde ist mein Revier, ach wie schee!
Segeln und Sprotten mag ich sehr,
Sage mir, wer bin ich, bitte sehr?
(Wenn ich ein Mann bin)

(I live in the north, by the sea,
The fjord is my territory, oh how lovely!
Sailing and sprats I like a lot,
Tell me, who am I, please give it a shot?
(If I am a man))

Solution: Der Kieler

⚓ More Interesting Facts

Word Formation:

The term 'Kieler' is formed by adding the suffix '-er' to the city name 'Kiel'. This pattern is typical for masculine demonyms (names for inhabitants) in German (e.g., Hamburger from Hamburg, Berliner from Berlin, Münchner from München).

Well-known Specialty:

The "Kieler Sprotte" is a famous smoked fish specialty, traditionally eaten whole (with head and bones). It's known beyond the region.

Kieler Woche (Kiel Week):

A world-famous sailing event and public festival held every summer, attracting many visitors (and of course, Kielers).