der  Lübecker

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈlyːbɛkɐ/

🗺️ What exactly does "der Lübecker" mean?

The word der Lübecker primarily refers to a male person who comes from or lives in the city of Lübeck in Northern Germany.

It is a substantivized adjective, derived from the city name "Lübeck". The feminine form is "die Lübeckerin".

Although "Lübecker" is also used as an adjective (e.g., Lübecker Marzipan - Lübeck marzipan), "der Lübecker" as a noun with the article "der" specifically refers to the male person.

Sometimes, colloquially, "ein Lübecker" might be used for a product from Lübeck (e.g., a piece of marzipan), but this is often not grammatically correct. For the marzipan itself, one usually says "das Lübecker Marzipan".

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Lübecker" in Detail

"Der Lübecker" is declined like an adjective used as a noun (substantivized adjective). It follows the strong declension after the definite article "der".

Example Sentences:

1. Der Lübecker erzählte von seiner Heimatstadt am Meer.
   (The man from Lübeck talked about his hometown by the sea.)
2. Wir trafen den Lübecker zufällig am Holstentor.
   (We met the man from Lübeck by chance at the Holsten Gate.)
3. Das ist das Auto des Lübeckers.
   (That is the car of the man from Lübeck.)
4. Ich habe dem Lübecker den Weg erklärt.
   (I explained the way to the man from Lübeck.)
5. Die Lübecker sind stolz auf ihre Hansestadt.
   (The people from Lübeck are proud of their Hanseatic city.)

🗣️ How to use "der Lübecker"?

The main use of der Lübecker is to refer to a man from Lübeck:

• "Mein Nachbar ist ein echter Lübecker." (My neighbor is a real Lübecker.)
• "Kennst du den Lübecker, der neu in der Firma ist?" (Do you know the Lübecker who is new at the company?)

In the plural (die Lübecker), it refers to the inhabitants of Lübeck in general or a group of them (men and women, or only men).

Although the adjective "Lübecker" (without an article, capitalized) is often used for products (Lübecker Marzipan, Lübecker Rotspon - a red wine aged in Lübeck), the substantivized form "der Lübecker" for a product is rather rare and colloquial. One would more likely say: "Ich hätte gern ein Stück Lübecker Marzipan" (I'd like a piece of Lübeck marzipan) rather than "Ich hätte gern einen Lübecker" (which could be misunderstood as wanting a person).

💡 Mnemonics for "der Lübecker"

For the article: Remember der Mann (the man). A man from Lübeck is der Lübecker. The article "der" signals the masculine gender.

For the meaning: Imagine someone beckoning you towards the famous Holstentor gate in Lübeck, saying "Look, der typical Lübecker is standing there!" Connect the sound "beck" in Lübeck to "beckon".

🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms

Synonyms for "der Lübecker" (male person):

• Einwohner Lübecks (männlich) (Inhabitant of Lübeck (male))
• Mann aus Lübeck (Man from Lübeck)
• Bürger Lübecks (männlich) (Citizen of Lübeck (male))

Antonyms (in terms of origin):

• Hamburger (Man from Hamburg)
• Kieler (Man from Kiel)
• Rostocker (Man from Rostock)
• (Generally: Someone not from Lübeck)

Similar Terms (Caution ⚠️):

• Lübsch: An adjective sometimes used colloquially for "typical of Lübeck" or "originating from Lübeck", but not very common. Example: lübsches Recht (historical Lübeck law).
• Lübeckisch: Adjective referring to Lübeck (e.g., die lübeckische Geschichte - the history of Lübeck).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Tourist einen Lübecker: "Sagen Sie mal, ist es wahr, dass hier in Lübeck das Marzipan auf den Bäumen wächst?"
Antwortet der Lübecker trocken: "Nein, das nicht. Aber wir pflücken es immer ganz frisch von den Touristen!" 😉

--- Translation ---

A tourist asks a man from Lübeck: "Tell me, is it true that marzipan grows on trees here in Lübeck?"
The Lübecker replies drily: "No, not really. But we always pick it fresh from the tourists!" 😉

📜 Poem about Lübeck

An der Trave, stolz und alt,
steht Lübeck, eine Stadt mit Gestalt.
Der Lübecker, mit Herz am rechten Fleck,
kennt Gänge, Höfe, jedes Versteck.
Das Holstentor, ein starkes Zeichen,
Marzipan süß, ohnegleichen.
Ein Hanseat, von Wind und Meer geprägt,
hat seine Stadt ins Herz gelegt.

--- Translation ---

On the Trave, proud and old,
Stands Lübeck, a city bold.
The Lübecker, with heart in the right place,
Knows alleys, courtyards, every space.
The Holsten Gate, a symbol strong,
Marzipan sweet, where it belongs.
A Hanseatic, shaped by wind and sea,
Has placed his city in his heart with glee.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich komm' aus der Stadt mit den sieben Türmen,
wo süße Mandeln Herzen erwärmen.
Bin ich ein Mann von dort, stolz und frei,
wer bin ich wohl? Rate mal, eins, zwei, drei!

--- Translation ---

I come from the city with seven spires,
Where sweet almonds fulfill desires.
If I'm a man from there, proud and free,
Who am I then? Guess now, one, two, three!

(Solution: der Lübecker)

💡 Interesting Facts about Lübeck

Word Composition: The word "Lübecker" is formed from the city name Lübeck + the suffix -er. This suffix is often used in German to form demonyms (names for inhabitants, e.g., Berliner, Hamburger) or adjectives of origin (e.g., Kölner Dom - Cologne Cathedral).

Trivia:

• Lübeck is known as the "City of Seven Spires" and the "Queen of the Hanseatic League". (Lübeck ist bekannt als die "Stadt der Sieben Türme" und die "Königin der Hanse".)
• The Lübeck Holsten Gate (Holstentor) is one of Germany's most famous city gates. (Das Lübecker Holstentor ist eines der bekanntesten Stadttore Deutschlands.)
• Lübeck marzipan (Lübecker Marzipan) is world-famous and has a long tradition. (Lübecker Marzipan ist weltberühmt und hat eine lange Tradition.)