der
Linkshänder
✋ What does "der Linkshänder" mean?
Der Linkshänder refers to a male person who predominantly uses their left hand for activities like writing, eating, or throwing. It describes a person's handedness (Händigkeit).
It's a noun composed of the words links (adjective/adverb for the direction 'left') and Hand (noun for 'hand'), supplemented by the suffix -er, which often indicates a person.
The feminine form is die Linkshänderin (female left-handed person).
⚠️ Attention: In the past, left-handedness was sometimes viewed negatively or attempts were made to "retrain" it (umzuerziehen), which is now considered harmful. However, the term itself is neutral and descriptive.
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.
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
📝 Grammar and Declension of Linkshänder
The word "Linkshänder" is a masculine noun. Its corresponding article is der.
Declension Masculine (der Linkshänder)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der | Linkshänder |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Linkshänders |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Linkshänder |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den | Linkshänder |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Linkshänder |
| Genitive | der | Linkshänder |
| Dative | den | Linkshändern |
| Accusative | die | Linkshänder |
Example Sentences
- Mein Bruder ist Linkshänder und braucht spezielle Scheren.
(My brother is left-handed and needs special scissors.) - Dem Linkshänder fielen viele alltägliche Aufgaben früher schwerer.
(Many everyday tasks used to be harder for the left-handed person.) - Man schätzt, dass etwa 10-15% der Bevölkerung Linkshänder sind.
(It is estimated that about 10-15% of the population are left-handed.) - Die Lehrerin achtet darauf, auch den Linkshändern in der Klasse gerecht zu werden.
(The teacher makes sure to accommodate the left-handed people in the class as well.)
🗣️ How is "Linkshänder" used?
The term "Linkshänder" is used to describe a person based on their preferred hand. It is neutral and factual.
- Everyday language: Often used to explain why someone writes differently or holds tools differently, for example.
- Medicine/Psychology: Used in professional contexts to describe handedness and its neurological basis.
- Product descriptions: For products specifically designed for left-handed people (e.g., Scheren - scissors, Füller - fountain pens, Dosenöffner - can openers).
The opposite is der Rechtshänder (right-handed person) and, less commonly, der Beidhänder (ambidextrous person).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of "der Mann" (the man) or "der guy". A Linkshänder often refers to a male person (or generically), so use der Linkshänder.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word basically tells you: Someone who uses their linke Hand (left hand) is a Links-Händ-er.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Terms)
- (Colloquial, sometimes pejorative): Linkspfote (literally 'left paw')
- (Very rare): Linkshändige Person (left-handed person - more descriptive)
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Rechtshänder (most common opposite: right-handed person)
- Beidhänder / Ambidexter (ambidextrous person)
Sometimes people mistakenly assume that "linkisch" (awkward, clumsy) is directly related to "Linkshänder", but this is etymologically incorrect, even though historical prejudices might have fueled this connection.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum haben Linkshänder Probleme am Computer?
(Why do left-handed people have problems with computers?)
Weil alles "rechts-klick" ist!
(Because everything is "right-click"!)
✒️ Poem about the Linkshänder
Mit links schreibt er, ganz ohne Not,
(He writes with his left, without any need,)
Die Feder tanzt, das Herz ihm bot
(The pen dances, his heart offered him)
Den Rhythmus vor, geschickt und fein,
(The rhythm, skillful and fine,)
Der Linkshänder, so soll es sein.
(The left-hander, that's how it should be.)
Die Welt oft rechts, doch er bleibt treu,
(The world is often right-handed, but he stays true,)
Der linken Hand, ganz frisch und neu.
(To the left hand, completely fresh and new.)
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich grüße nicht mit rechts, das ist mein Stil,
(I don't greet with my right, that's my style,)
Beim Schreiben nehm' ich links das Ziel.
(When writing, I aim with the left.)
Für mich gibt's extra Scher'n und Messer,
(There are special scissors and knives for me,)
Wer bin ich, sag's, dann weißt du's besser!
(Who am I? Say it, then you'll know better!)
Solution: Der Linkshänder (The left-handed person)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition
The word is a compound noun (Kompositum):
- links: Adjective/adverb indicating 'left'.
- Hand: Noun meaning 'hand'.
- -er: Suffix often denoting a person performing an action or having a characteristic.
Interesting Facts
- Approximately 10-15% of the world's population are left-handed.
- There is an International Lefthanders Day on August 13th.
- Many famous people were or are left-handed, e.g., Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Barack Obama.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Linkshänder?
The word "Linkshänder" is a masculine noun and takes the article der. It refers to a person (usually male, but also used generically) who primarily uses their left hand. The feminine form is "die Linkshänderin", and the plural is "die Linkshänder".