der
Kommunist
🧐 What does "der Kommunist" mean?
Der Kommunist (plural: die Kommunisten) refers to a person who is an adherent or representative of the political and economic ideology of Kommunismus (communism). In theory, this ideology strives for a classless society in which the means of production are common property.
It is a masculine noun.
Important Note ⚠️: Depending on the context and the speaker's political stance, the word can be neutrally descriptive or carry strong negative connotations.
The female form is: die Kommunistin (the female communist).
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 of "Kommunist" in Detail
The noun "der Kommunist" is a masculine noun and follows the weak declension (N-Deklination). This means it takes the ending "-en" in all cases except the nominative singular.
| Case | Article | Noun | English Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der | Kommunist | Nominative (Subject) |
| Genitiv | des | Kommunisten | Genitive (Possessive) |
| Dativ | dem | Kommunisten | Dative (Indirect Object) |
| Akkusativ | den | Kommunisten | Accusative (Direct Object) |
| Case | Article | Noun | English Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | die | Kommunisten | Nominative (Subject) |
| Genitiv | der | Kommunisten | Genitive (Possessive) |
| Dativ | den | Kommunisten | Dative (Indirect Object) |
| Akkusativ | die | Kommunisten | Accusative (Direct Object) |
Example Sentences
- Der alte Mann war sein Leben lang ein überzeugter Kommunist. (The old man was a convinced communist his whole life.)
- Die Schriften des Kommunisten wurden kontrovers diskutiert. (The writings of the communist were controversially discussed.)
- Man warf dem Kommunisten vor, die Regierung stürzen zu wollen. (The communist was accused of wanting to overthrow the government.)
- Siehst du den Kommunisten dort drüben? (Do you see the communist over there?)
- Nach dem Fall der Mauer wurden viele ehemalige Kommunisten arbeitslos. (After the fall of the Wall, many former communists became unemployed.)
🗣️ How to use "der Kommunist"?
The usage of the word "Kommunist" heavily depends on the context:
- Historical/Political: Often used to describe members of communist parties or adherents of communist ideology in historical or political discussions. (e.g., Die Kommunisten übernahmen 1917 in Russland die Macht. - The communists took power in Russia in 1917.)
- Colloquial: Can sometimes be used pejoratively or as a generalization for people with strong left-wing views, even if they don't explicitly identify as communists. 🚨 Caution: This usage is often imprecise and can be perceived as insulting.
- Self-identification: Individuals who identify as communists use the term to describe their political beliefs.
Compared to "Sozialist" (socialist), "Kommunist" generally denotes a more radical position, aiming for a revolutionary transformation of society and the abolition of private property of the means of production. Socialism is often broader and includes reformist approaches.
💡 Mnemonics to Remember
- Article Mnemonic: Think of a typical image of a communist leader, often a man (masculine -> der). Der Mann = der Kommunist.
- Meaning Mnemonic: Kommunist sounds like 'common-ist'. Someone who believes things should be held in 'common' by the 'community'.
- N-Declension Mnemonic: Many masculine nouns for people ending in '-ist' follow the N-declension (der Polizist, der Journalist, der Tourist...). The Kommunist needs his -(e)n in almost all cases; he's an N-candidate! Think: the communist needs 'eN'dless revolution... or just the 'en' ending.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Marxist: An adherent of the teachings of Karl Marx (often synonymous, but not always identical).
- Sozialist: Socialist (broader term; communism is a form of socialism).
- Bolschewik: Bolshevik (historical term for members of the radical faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party).
- Colloquial/pejorative: Roter (Red), Linker (Leftist) (⚠️ very imprecise!).
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Kapitalist: Capitalist (proponent or supporter of capitalism).
- Antikommunist: Anti-communist (opponent of communism).
- Konservativer: Conservative (adherent of conservative political views).
- Liberaler: Liberal (adherent of liberal political views).
Similar but different terms:
- Anarchist: Aims for a stateless society, but often rejects the centralist state concept prevalent in many real-socialist states.
😂 A Little Joke
Deutsch: Frage: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einem Kapitalisten und einem Kommunisten? Antwort: Der Kapitalist verkauft den Strick, an dem er aufgehängt wird. Der Kommunist bekommt ihn umsonst!
English: Question: What's the difference between a capitalist and a communist? Answer: The capitalist sells the rope he'll be hanged with. The communist gets it for free!
(Please note: This joke is an exaggeration of political stereotypes and not intended to offend anyone.)
📜 Poem about the Kommunist
Deutsch:
Der Kommunist, mit roter Fahn',
träumt von 'nem ganz besond'ren Plan.
Gleichheit für alle, groß und klein,
so soll die neue Welt einst sein.
Kein Chef, kein Geld, kein Eigentum,
das wär' sein größter Heldentum.
Doch Theorie und Wirklichkeit,
die liegen oft unendlich weit.
English Translation:
The communist, with banner red,
dreams of a special plan ahead.
Equality for all, big and small,
that's how the new world should enthrall.
No boss, no money, property none,
that would be his greatest heroism won.
But theory and reality's way,
are often infinitely far astray.
❓ Riddle Time
Deutsch:
Ich glaub' an Marx und Engels sehr,
die Klassengesellschaft, die mag ich nicht mehr.
Produktionsmittel in gemeinsamer Hand,
so lautet mein politisches Pfand.
Meine Farbe ist oft Rot,
ich kämpfe gegen soziale Not.
Wer bin ich?
English:
I believe strongly in Marx and Engels,
Class society, I no longer embrace its tangles.
Means of production in common hand,
that's my political stand.
My color is often red,
Against social hardship, I've always led.
Who am I?
Solution
Der Kommunist (The Communist)
🧩 Other Information
- Word Origin: The word comes from the French "communiste", which in turn is based on "communisme" (communism). The origin lies in the Latin "communis" (common).
- Female Form: Die Kommunistin (the female communist)
- Adjective: kommunistisch (communist, e.g., eine kommunistische Partei - a communist party)
- Abstract Noun: Der Kommunismus (communism - the ideology)
- Historical Significance: The word and its bearers significantly shaped the history of the 20th century (e.g., Cold War, Soviet Union, GDR/East Germany).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kommunist?
The word "Kommunist" is a masculine noun, so the correct article is der. The correct form is der Kommunist. It follows the weak declension (N-declension).