der
Kommentar
💬 What exactly is a 'Kommentar'?
Der Kommentar (noun, masculine) in German mainly refers to two things:
- An expression of opinion or remark: This is the most common meaning, especially in the context of discussions, social media, or as a reaction to an article or post. It's a personal statement (eine persönliche Stellungnahme). We call this a comment in English.
- An explanatory treatise or analysis: This refers to a more detailed, often specialized explanation or interpretation of a text, event, or topic (e.g., a legal commentary - ein Gesetzeskommentar, a literary commentary - ein literarischer Kommentar, a live commentary during sports events - ein Live-Kommentar). This is often called commentary in English.
There is only one article for the word Kommentar: 'der'. It is always masculine.
🧐 Grammar of 'der Kommentar' at a Glance
The noun "Kommentar" is masculine and follows the strong declension pattern.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Kommentar |
| Genitive | des | Kommentars / Kommentares |
| Dative | dem | Kommentar / Kommentare |
| Accusative | den | Kommentar |
Note: In the genitive and dative singular, forms with an additional "-e" (Kommentares, Kommentare) are sometimes possible, but often sound more formal or dated.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kommentare |
| Genitive | der | Kommentare |
| Dative | den | Kommentaren |
| Accusative | die | Kommentare |
📝 Example Sentences
- Sein Kommentar unter dem Blogbeitrag war sehr aufschlussreich. (His comment under the blog post was very insightful.)
- Ich stimme dem Inhalt des Kommentars nicht zu. (I do not agree with the content of the comment.)
- Mit dem Kommentar hat er eine Diskussion ausgelöst. (With the comment, he triggered a discussion.)
- Ich habe den Kommentar gelesen. (I read the comment.)
- Die Kommentare waren überwiegend positiv. (The comments were predominantly positive.)
- Die Verwaltung muss sich mit den Kommentaren der Bürger auseinandersetzen. (The administration must deal with the citizens' comments.)
💡 Everyday Usage: When to use 'Kommentar'?
Der Kommentar is a versatile word:
- Online Discussions: Very common as a reaction to posts, videos, articles (e.g., "Schreib doch einen Kommentar!" - Just write a comment!, "Die Kommentarspalte ist deaktiviert." - The comment section is disabled.).
- Media: Journalistic opinion pieces are often called "Kommentar" to distinguish them from purely factual news reports. The narration during sports broadcasts is also a "Live-Kommentar".
- Academia & Law: Here, "Kommentar" often refers to comprehensive works that analyze and explain a text (e.g., a law, a literary work) in detail ("Gesetzeskommentar", "Faust-Kommentar").
- General: Any spoken or written remark or note about something can be a Kommentar ("Sein ironischer Kommentar war unpassend." - His ironic comment was inappropriate.).
Distinction: While a Bemerkung (remark) or Anmerkung (note) is often shorter and more casual, a Kommentar usually implies a slightly more detailed or deliberate statement or analysis.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Kommentar'
- For the Article: Imagine a stereotypical male commentator giving his important commentary. Associate the male image with 'der'. Or think: 'Der dude' writes a 'Kommentar' online.
- For the Meaning: A Kommentar often 'comes after' something (an event, a text). Think of the English word 'come' sounding a bit like the start of 'Kommentar'. It comes along and comments on something.
"A commentary needs an author - 'der' is the article you're after!"
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- die Anmerkung: note, remark (often shorter, more casual).
- die Bemerkung: remark (similar to Anmerkung, often spoken).
- die Stellungnahme: statement, position (more formal, often an official response).
- die Äußerung: utterance, statement (general term for something said or written).
- die Glosse: gloss, short commentary (often polemical or witty journalistic comment).
- die Erläuterung: explanation, clarification (closer to the 'commentary' meaning).
- die Auslegung / die Interpretation: interpretation (of a text or situation).
Antonyms (Opposites - Context-Dependent):
A direct antonym is difficult, as a comment can be neutral, positive, or negative. Possible contrasts include:
- das Lob: praise (if the comment was negative).
- die Zustimmung: agreement (if the comment was critical).
- das Schweigen: silence (the absence of any comment).
- der Tatsachenbericht: factual report (as opposed to an opinionated journalistic commentary).
⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse with das Kompliment - which means compliment and is always positive.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum schreiben Informatiker keine Liebesbriefe, sondern Kommentare im Code?
Weil sie hoffen, dass die Beziehung gut dokumentiert ist und später leichter debuggt werden kann! 😉
Why don't programmers write love letters, but comments in their code?
Because they hope the relationship is well-documented and easier to debug later! 😉
✍️ A Poem about Comments
Ein Wort gesagt, ein Text getippt,
schnell ist ein Kommentar geklickt.
Mal Lob, mal Tadel, mal ein Rat,
der Kommentar steht meist parat.
Im Netz, im Buch, im Sportbericht,
erhellt er oft, was dunkel ist.
Mal kurz, mal lang, mal tief, mal flach,
der Kommentar hält uns oft wach.
A word is said, a text is typed,
A comment's quickly clicked and swiped.
Sometimes praise, sometimes advice,
Der Kommentar appears in a trice.
Online, in books, in sports reports,
It often sheds light of sorts.
Sometimes short, sometimes long, deep or flat,
Der Kommentar keeps us alert, like that.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich folge Texten, Bild und Ton,
bin Meinung, Kritik oder Lektion.
Im Internet findet man mich Hauf um Hauf,
man schreibt mich drunter, klickt darauf.
Mal bin ich schlau, mal bin ich schlicht,
manchmal erhell' ich, manchmal nicht.
Mit 'der' steh ich meistens da,
na, wer bin ich? Ist doch klar!
I follow texts, images, and sound,
I'm opinion, critique, or lesson found.
On the internet, I'm seen all around,
You write me below, click with a bound.
Sometimes I'm smart, sometimes I'm plain,
Sometimes I enlighten, sometimes in vain.
With 'der' I usually stand near,
Well, who am I? It's quite clear!
Solution: Der Kommentar (the comment/commentary)
ℹ️ More Interesting Facts
- Word Origin: The word "Kommentar" comes from the Latin word commentārius, which originally meant "notebook", "record" or also "interpretation", "explanation".
- Compounds: There are many compound words (Komposita) with "Kommentar", e.g.:
- die Kommentarfunktion: comment function (the technical feature to leave comments).
- der Live-Kommentar: live commentary (simultaneous reporting and analysis, e.g., in sports).
- der Gesetzeskommentar: legal commentary (a book explaining a law).
- der Hasskommentar: hate comment (an insulting or inflammatory online comment).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kommentar?
The word "Kommentar" is always masculine. The correct article is exclusively der: der Kommentar (singular) and die Kommentare (plural).