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Lügner
🤥 What exactly is a 'Lügner'?
A Lügner is a male person who consciously tells untruths, i.e., lies (*lügt*). It's a noun with a strongly negative connotation.
- Article: der (masculine)
- Gender: Masculine
- Feminine Form: die Lügnerin (female liar)
- Meaning: A person (male) who is known for or is currently telling lies.
⚠️ Attention: The word is often used as an insult or a strong accusation.
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.
-ner → almost always masculine.
Compare with the category '-er'.
-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 of 'der Lügner' in Detail
The noun 'Lügner' is a masculine noun. It follows the n-declension pattern, meaning it usually adds an '-n' ending in all cases except the nominative singular.
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Lügner |
| Genitive | des | Lügners |
| Dative | dem | Lügner |
| Accusative | den | Lügner |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Lügner |
| Genitive | der | Lügner |
| Dative | den | Lügnern |
| Accusative | die | Lügner |
Example Sentences
- Er ist als notorischer Lügner bekannt.
(He is known as a notorious liar.) - Die Geschichte des Lügners war voller Widersprüche.
(The liar's story was full of contradictions.) - Man sollte dem Lügner nicht alles glauben.
(One shouldn't believe everything the liar says.) - Sie hat den Lügner zur Rede gestellt.
(She confronted the liar.) - Viele Lügner versammelten sich, um ihre Geschichten zu erzählen.
(Many liars gathered to tell their stories.)
🗣️ How to use 'Lügner'?
The term 'Lügner' is used to directly or indirectly accuse someone of not telling the truth. It carries a strong moral condemnation.
- Direct Accusation: "Du bist ein Lügner!" (You are a liar!) - Very direct and confrontational.
- Description: "Er hat den Ruf, ein Lügner zu sein." (He has the reputation of being a liar.) - Descriptive, but still negative.
- Context: Often used in discussions about trust, honesty, deceit, or in political debates.
Related Terms:
- lügen (verb): The act of not telling the truth. ("Er lügt oft." - He often lies.)
- die Lüge (noun): The untruth itself. ("Das war eine Lüge." - That was a lie.)
- lügnerisch (adjective): Describes a statement or behavior as untruthful. ("Seine Aussage war lügnerisch." - His statement was deceitful.)
Don't confuse 'Lügner' with someone who is simply mistaken (sich irren). A Lügner deceives intentionally, while a mistake (Irrtum) is unintentional.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Lügner'
- Article Mnemonic: Think of a typical male villain in stories: Der Bösewicht (the (male) villain) is often also der Lügner. (Masculine article 'der').
- Meaning Mnemonic: The word Lügner sounds a bit like the English word "lie" followed by "g'ner". Imagine someone ("g'ner") constantly telling lies. Or: The "L" in Lügner stands for Lies.
"Der guy, that nasty Lügner, his tales get truly crummier."
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Schwindler: Swindler, someone who deceives with false information, often for gain.
- Heuchler: Hypocrite, someone who pretends to have feelings or intentions they don't possess.
- Betrüger: Fraudster, cheat, someone who deliberately deceives others for profit or to cause harm (often legally relevant).
- Märchenerzähler (ugs.): Fairy tale teller (colloquial), a diminutive or ironic term for a liar.
🚨 Similar but different words: Ein Schwätzer (chatterbox) talks a lot, but doesn't necessarily lie. Ein Fabulierer (storyteller, fabulist) invents stories, often without malicious intent.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Stimmt es, dass Sie ein notorischer Lügner sind?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Notorisch? Nein, Herr Richter, ich bin Autodidakt!"
Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Is it true that you are a notorious liar?"
The defendant replies: "Notorious? No, Your Honor, I'm self-taught!"
📜 A Poem about the Lügner
Der Lügner spricht mit glatter Zunge,
\verdreht die Wahrheit, alt und junge.
\Sein Wort ist falsch, sein Blick oft leer,
\wer ihm vertraut, der leidet sehr.
\Ein Netz aus Trug, so fein gesponnen,
\hat selten je ein Herz gewonnen.
Translation:
The liar speaks with a smooth tongue,
twists the truth, old and young.
His word is false, his gaze often empty,
whoever trusts him suffers greatly.
A web of deceit, so finely spun,
has rarely ever won a heart.
🧩 Who am I? A Riddle
Ich spreche viel, doch Wahrheit scheu' ich.
\Mein Wort verdreht, was grad erfreulich.
\Man traut mir nicht, nennt mich beim Namen,
\wenn Unwahrheiten aus mir kamen.
Wer bin ich?
Translation:
I speak a lot, but shy away from truth.
My word twists what is currently pleasing.
People don't trust me, call me by name,
when untruths came from me.
Who am I?
(Answer: Der Lügner / The Liar)
ℹ️ Additional Info
- Etymology: The word 'Lügner' derives directly from the verb 'lügen' (to lie) (Old High German: liogan). The suffix '-ner' denotes a person performing the action.
- Feminine Form: The feminine form is 'die Lügnerin'.
- Adjective: The corresponding adjective is 'lügnerisch' (deceitful, lying) (e.g., eine lügnerische Aussage - a deceitful statement).
- Cultural Significance: Lying is considered morally reprehensible in many cultures. Stories like Pinocchio address the consequences of lying.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Lügner?
The German word for a male person who lies is der Lügner. It is a masculine noun.