der  Kritiker

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkʁɪtɪkɐ/

🧐 What Exactly is a Kritiker?

A Kritiker (masculine) is a person who assesses, evaluates, and often publicly expresses their opinion on something (e.g., a work of art, a film, a book, a political decision, or the behavior of others). This Kritik (criticism) can be positive, negative, or balanced.

It can be a job title (e.g., Filmkritiker - film critic, Literaturkritiker - literary critic, Restaurantkritiker - restaurant critic), but can also be used more generally for someone who frequently expresses criticism.

The feminine form is die Kritikerin.

🚨 Be aware: The word can sometimes have a slightly negative connotation, implying someone who constantly nags or finds fault.

Article rules for der, die, and das

✍️ Grammar in Detail: Der Kritiker

The noun "Kritiker" is masculine and belongs to the weak declension (n-declension). This means it takes an "-n" ending in all cases except the nominative singular.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

1. Der bekannte Kritiker lobte den neuen Film sehr. (The well-known critic praised the new film highly. - Nominative Singular)
2. Die Meinung des Kritikers wurde in der Zeitung abgedruckt. (The critic's opinion was printed in the newspaper. - Genitive Singular)
3. Viele Leser stimmten dem Kritiker nicht zu. (Many readers did not agree with the critic. - Dative Singular)
4. Der Regisseur traf den Kritiker nach der Premiere. (The director met the critic after the premiere. - Accusative Singular)
5. Die Kritiker waren sich über die Qualität des Buches uneinig. (The critics disagreed about the quality of the book. - Nominative Plural)
6. Man hörte den Kritikern aufmerksam zu. (People listened attentively to the critics. - Dative Plural)

🗣️ How to Use 'Kritiker'?

The term "Kritiker" is used in various contexts:

• Arts & Culture: Most commonly, "Kritiker" refers to professionals who review art, literature, films, plays, or music (e.g., Kunstkritiker - art critic, Literaturkritiker - literary critic, Filmkritiker - film critic, Musikkritiker - music critic).
• Gastronomy: Restaurantkritiker evaluate food, service, and ambiance in restaurants.
• Politics & Society: Here, "Kritiker" refers to people who question and evaluate political decisions, social conditions, or specific ideologies (e.g., Regierungskritiker - government critic, Systemkritiker - system critic).
• Everyday Language: In a broader sense, anyone expressing a judgment or pointing out flaws can be called a "Kritiker". The tone can also be negative here (“Er ist ein ewiger Kritiker.” - He's a perpetual critic.).

Related terms include Rezensent (often synonymous, especially in culture), Gutachter (more formal and technical expert), Beurteiler (more general assessor). Negatively connoted terms include Nörgler (complainer, fault-finder) or Meckerer (grumbler).

🧠 Memory Aids for 'Kritiker'

For the article 'der': A Kritiker is typically a male role (masculine noun) -> der Kritiker. (The female form is 'die Kritikerin'). Picture a stern gentleman (der Mann) who is critical.

For the meaning: The word Kritik (criticism) is inside Kritiker. A Kritiker practices Kritik; they judge and evaluate. Sounds like the English word 'critic'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Related Words:

• die Kritik: the criticism, review, critique.
• kritisch: the adjective (critical).
• kritisieren: the verb (to criticize).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der junge Autor den erfahrenen Kritiker: "Was halten Sie von meinem neuen Roman?"
Sagt der Kritiker: "Ich habe Gutes und Neues darin gefunden."
Der Autor strahlt: "Und was?"
Kritiker: "Leider war das Gute nicht neu und das Neue nicht gut."

Translation:
The young author asks the experienced critic: "What do you think of my new novel?"
The critic says: "I found things in it that were good and things that were new." The author beams: "And what?" Critic: "Unfortunately, what was good wasn't new, and what was new wasn't good."

📜 Poem about the Critic

Der Kritiker, mit spitzem Stift,
Sein Urteil oft wie Pfeile trifft.
Er prüft das Werk, ob gut, ob schlecht,
Und fällt sein Wort, gerecht und echt?

Mal lobt er laut, mal tadelt scharf,
Sein Einfluss wirkt, man hört ihn brav.
Doch Kunst bleibt Kunst, ob er sie mag,
Und lebt oft fort, Tag für Tag.

Translation:
The critic, with a pointed pen,
His judgment often hits like arrows then.
He checks the work, if good or bad,
And speaks his word, is it fair or mad?

Sometimes he praises loud, sometimes chides sharp,
His influence works, listened to like a harp.
But art remains art, whether he likes the view,
And often lives on, day after day anew.

❓ Riddle

Ich schaue Filme, les' ein Buch,
Besuch' Theater, mach Versuch,
Zu sagen, was mir nicht gefällt,
Und was als Meisterwerk denn zählt.
Mal bin ich streng, mal voller Lob,
Mein Wort hat oft Gewicht, ganz grob.
Ich urteile, bewerte gern,
Mal nah am Werk, mal davon fern.

Wer bin ich? ... Der Kritiker

Translation:
I watch movies, read a book,
Visit theater, take a look,
To say what doesn't please my eye,
And what counts as a masterpiece, oh my.
Sometimes I'm strict, sometimes full of praise,
My word often carries weight in many ways.
I like to judge, evaluate with care,
Sometimes close to the work, sometimes from afar out there.

Who am I? ... The Critic (der Kritiker)

💡 Other Information

• Word Origin: The word "Kritiker" comes from the Greek word kritikós (κριτικός), meaning “able to judge, decisive”. It's related to krínein (κρίνειν) meaning “to separate, judge”.
• Feminine Form: die Kritikerin
• Plural: die Kritiker
• Profession: While 'Kritiker' isn't always a protected job title in Germany, there are specialized critics in many fields (art, literature, film, music, theater, wine, food, politics, etc.).