der  Mohr

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/moːɐ̯/

🚨 What does "der Mohr" mean? A critical classification

The word der Mohr (plural: die Mohren) is an outdated term now considered racist and discriminatory for people with dark skin, especially from Africa. It originally derived from the Latin Maurus (inhabitant of Mauretania) and was used in Europe for centuries.

⚠️ Important Note: Using the word "Mohr" today is inappropriate and offensive in almost all contexts. It conveys negative stereotypes and colonial ways of thinking. Although it appeared historically in literature (e.g., Shakespeare's Othello, Schiller's "Fiesco"), art, heraldry (Wappenkunde), and even in the names of pharmacies or inns ("Mohren-Apotheke"), its use is strongly criticized and rejected today.

Modern German offers neutral and respectful terms that should be used instead.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Mohr"

"Mohr" is a masculine noun and follows the weak N-declension (schwache N-Deklination), except for the genitive singular.

Example Sentences (Historical Context)

Please note: These sentences illustrate historical usage and do not reflect contemporary language use. The use of the word should be rejected.

• In alten Texten wurde die Figur oft als "der Mohr von Venedig" bezeichnet. (In old texts, the character was often referred to as "the Moor of Venice".)
• Manche Wappen zeigen einen stilisierten Mohrenkopf. (Some coats of arms depict a stylized Moor's head.)

🚫 Usage: A Word to Avoid

The use of the term "der Mohr" should be strictly avoided today. It is considered racist, discriminatory, and deeply rooted in colonial ideas.

Historical Contexts (Not a justification for present-day use!):

• Literature & Theatre: Characters like Othello were historically called "Mohr".
• Heraldry: Stylized "Moor's heads" (Mohrenköpfe) appear in some old family or city coats of arms (e.g., Wappen von Coburg, Freising).
• Naming: Outdated names for pharmacies ("Mohren-Apotheke"), inns, or streets ("Mohrenstraße"). These names are highly controversial and increasingly being changed.
• Idiom: The phrase "Der Mohr hat seine Schuldigkeit getan, der Mohr kann gehen" ("The Moor has done his duty, the Moor may leave", from Schiller's "Fiesco") describes ungrateful treatment but is also problematic due to the word itself.

🚨 Conclusion: Do not use this word under any circumstances in modern communication. It is hurtful and reproduces racist stereotypes. Use neutral and respectful terms instead, such as "Schwarze Person" (Black person) or "Person of Color" (PoC), depending on the context and the person's self-identification.

Mnemonics (with critical distance)

Since the word "Mohr" should be avoided, these mnemonics serve more to remember its problematic nature and its article, not for active use.

Article Mnemonic: Imagine someone emphatically stating: "Der (that specific) racist term 'Mohr' belongs in the dustbin of history." The "Der" highlights the classification.

Meaning Mnemonic (critical): Think of the English word "Moor" (as in the historical Moors, tying it back to the origin) but strongly associate it with the negative, racist connotation it acquired in German. Remember: M-ohr -> Listen closely (Ohr = ear), this word is a red flag for racism.

Synonyms & Antonyms: A Difficult Category

There are no direct, acceptable synonyms for "der Mohr" in contemporary language because the term itself is racist.

Historical / Outdated / Equally problematic terms:

• Neger: Also highly racist and to be rejected.
• Maure: Refers more specifically to the historical Muslim inhabitants of Northwest Africa and the Iberian Peninsula.

Neutral terms to use instead (depending on context):

• Schwarze Person / Schwarzer Mann (Black person / Black man)
• Person of Color (PoC)
• Afrodeutsche/r (Afro-German)
• Afrikaner/in (African, if origin is known and relevant)

Antonyms:

In the racist context of the word, "Weiße/r" (White person) was often constructed as the opposite. However, this reflects a binary and problematic worldview.

Similar, potentially misleading words:

• Das Moor: (neuter) A bog, marsh, swamp. Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

Humor? Inappropriate Here.

Jokes about racist terms like "Mohr" are fundamentally inappropriate as they risk trivializing or reproducing discrimination. Humor should never come at the expense of marginalized groups. 🙅‍♂️

Thoughts on the Word

Ein Wort, aus dunkler Zeit gebor'n,
(A word, born of dark times,)
Hat vielen Schmerz und Leid erkor'n.
(Chose much pain and suffering for many.)
"Der Mohr", so klang's durch Raum und Land,
("The Moor", it echoed through space and land,)
Ein Stempel, eingebrannt.
(A brand, burned in.)

Doch Zeiten ändern ihren Lauf,
(But times change their course,)
Respekt nimmt seinen Platz nun auf.
(Respect now takes its place.)
Dies Wort, es sei nun ausgespart,
(This word, let it now be omitted,)
Aus Achtung, Menschlichkeit und Zart.
(Out of respect, humanity, and tenderness.)

A Word Riddle

Ich bin ein Wort, alt und bekannt,
(I am a word, old and known,)
Oft in Wappen und auf Schildern stand.
(Often stood on coats of arms and signs.)
Shakespeare hat mich einst benutzt,
(Shakespeare once used me,)
Doch heute werd' ich kaum geschätzt.
(But today I am hardly valued.)

Man sagt, ich tat die Schuldigkeit,
(They say I did my duty,)
Doch meine Nutzung bringt nur Leid.
(But my use only brings sorrow.)
Mein Klang, er birgt Geschichte schwer,
(My sound holds heavy history,)
Drum nutz' mich heute bitte nicht mehr!
(Therefore, please don't use me anymore today!)

Welches Wort bin ich?
(What word am I?)

Answer: der Mohr

Other Aspects and Trivia

• Etymology: The word "Mohr" derives from the Latin Maurus, which originally designated the inhabitants of the Roman province of Mauretania (Northwest Africa). It was later generalized to refer to dark-skinned people.
• "Mohrenwäsche" (Moor Washing): The German expression "einen Mohren weiß waschen wollen" (wanting to wash a Moor white) means trying to do the impossible or trying to eliminate an obvious flaw. This idiom is also problematic due to the word used.
• Debates about Renaming: The discussion about renaming "Mohren-Apotheken" (Moor Pharmacies) or "Mohrenstraßen" (Moor Streets) in Germany highlights the ongoing confrontation with colonial heritage and racist language in public spaces.
• Representation in Art: Historical depictions of "Mohren" in European art are often stereotypical and exoticizing. A well-known example is the figure of Caspar, one of the Three Wise Men, often depicted as a Moor.