der
Kommissar
🕵️ What does 'der Kommissar' mean?
The term der Kommissar (masculine) primarily refers to:
- A police officer of higher rank, often in a leading role within the criminal investigation department (Kriminalkommissar). This is the most common meaning in everyday life, especially familiar from crime series (Krimis).
- An official or commissioner with special powers or assigned to a specific area of responsibility, often in a political or administrative context (e.g., EU-Kommissar - EU Commissioner).
It is a masculine noun. The feminine form is die Kommissarin.
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.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Kommissar
The noun 'Kommissar' is masculine, hence it takes the article 'der'. It follows the n-declension (n-Deklination), meaning it adds an -(e)n ending in all cases except the nominative singular.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Kommissar |
| Genitive | des | Kommissaren |
| Dative | dem | Kommissaren |
| Accusative | den | Kommissaren |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kommissare |
| Genitive | der | Kommissare |
| Dative | den | Kommissaren |
| Accusative | die | Kommissare |
Example Sentences
- Der Kommissar befragte den Zeugen. (The commissioner questioned the witness.)
- Die Aussage des Kommissaren war eindeutig. (The commissioner's statement was clear.)
- Der Täter wurde dem Kommissaren vorgeführt. (The perpetrator was brought before the commissioner.)
- Sie riefen den Kommissaren zum Tatort. (They called the commissioner to the crime scene.)
- Die Kommissare beraten sich über das weitere Vorgehen. (The commissioners are consulting on the next steps.)
⚠️ Note: The n-declension is applied here, which is often challenging for learners.
💡 How to use 'Kommissar'?
Usage depends on the context:
- Police/Crime Fiction: Very common in the context of crime and investigations. Der Kommissar is often the main character in crime dramas (e.g., 'Tatort-Kommissar').
- Politics/Administration: Refers to high-ranking officials or commissioners with special tasks, e.g., 'EU-Kommissar' (EU Commissioner), 'Wehrbeauftragter' (Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, sometimes also referred to as 'parlamentarischer Kommissar'). This usage is more formal.
- Historical: In the past, there were also other types of commissioners with special assignments (e.g., 'Politischer Kommissar' - Political Commissar in armies).
Confusion is rare, as the context usually makes the meaning clear. In everyday German, it almost always refers to the police detective.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Remembering the Article: Think of a stereotypical male detective: Der Kommissar is a man (masculine) who solves the case. Like der Detektiv, der Ermittler.
Remembering the Meaning: A Kommissar is on a mission (sounds like 'Kommiss-') – either to solve crimes or to fulfill an important task as a commissioner.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (depending on context)
Antonyms (in the police context)
- Verdächtiger (Suspect)
- Täter (Perpetrator)
- Verbrecher (Criminal)
- Zeuge (Witness - different role)
- Opfer (Victim)
Similar Words
- Kommissionär: A commission agent, someone who buys or sells goods in their own name but on behalf of others (completely different meaning!).
- Kommission: A commission, a group of people entrusted with a specific task.
😂 A Little Joke
Der Richter fragt den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie das Auto gestohlen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Ich musste schnell zum Gerichtstermin!"
Fragt der Kommissar daneben: "Und warum haben Sie nicht einfach die Straßenbahn genommen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Dafür hatte ich keinen Führerschein!"
Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you steal the car?"
The defendant answers: "I had to get to my court appointment quickly!"
The commissioner standing nearby asks: "And why didn't you just take the tram?"
The defendant answers: "I didn't have a license for that!"
✍️ Poem about the Kommissar
Der Kommissar, mit scharfem Blick,
löst jeden Fall, Stück für Stück.
Ob Mord, ob Diebstahl, ob Betrug,
er folgt der Spur, klug und genug.
Mit Notizbuch und Verstand,
bringt er die Wahrheit ans Licht im Land.
Ein Mann des Rechts, mit ernster Miene,
der Kommissar auf der Verbrecherbühne.
Translation:
The Kommissar, with a sharp gaze,
Solves every case, piece by piece, through the maze.
Be it murder, theft, or fraud's deceit,
He follows the clue, clever and neat.
With notebook and sharp intellect,
He brings the truth to light, correct.
A man of law, with a serious face,
The Kommissar on the criminal stage's space.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich trage oft Zivil, doch diene dem Gesetz.
Ich jage Täter und verhöre sie im Netz.
Im Krimi bin ich Held, mal mürrisch, mal adrett.
Mein Rang beginnt mit K, ich lös' das Fall-Ballett.
Wer bin ich?
(Auflösung: Der Kommissar)
Translation:
I often wear plain clothes, but serve the law's decree.
I hunt down culprits and interrogate with glee.
In crime shows, I'm the hero, sometimes grumpy, sometimes smart.
My rank starts with a K, I solve the case's art.
Who am I?
(Answer: The Kommissar / Commissioner / Inspector)
✨ Other Information
Word Origin: The word comes from the Middle Latin commissarius, meaning 'agent' or 'person entrusted'. It derives from the Latin verb committere ('to entrust', 'to commission').
Famous Fictional Kommissare: Germany is known for its crime drama landscape featuring many iconic commissioners, such as Schimanski (from 'Tatort'), Derrick, Batic & Leitmayr ('Tatort Munich'), or Thiel & Boerne ('Tatort Münster').
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kommissar?
The word Kommissar is masculine. The correct article is always der. It follows the n-declension (Genitive: des Kommissaren, Dative: dem Kommissaren, Accusative: den Kommissaren).