der
Muttertag
💐 What is der Muttertag?
Der Muttertag is the German word for Mother's Day. It is a holiday honoring mothers and motherhood. It's celebrated in many countries worldwide, though often on different dates.
In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Muttertag traditionally falls on the second Sunday in May.
It's a day when children and partners often honor their mothers with flowers (Blumen), small gifts (kleine Geschenke), or special attentions to express their gratitude (Dankbarkeit) and love (Liebe).
⚠️ It's not a public holiday in the sense of a day off work, but its social significance is considerable.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ag → always masculine.
Weekdays, months, seasons → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Muttertag
The word "Muttertag" is a masculine noun (Nomen) and therefore takes the article der. It's a compound word (Kompositum) formed from "die Mutter" (the mother) and "der Tag" (the day). Interestingly, the last word in the compound ("Tag") determines the gender of the entire word.
Since it refers to a specific day, it is mostly used in the singular.
Declension Singular
| Case (Kasus) | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der Muttertag | ein Muttertag |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des Muttertags / Muttertages | eines Muttertags / Muttertages |
| Dative (To/For Whom?) | dem Muttertag / Muttertage | einem Muttertag / Muttertage |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den Muttertag | einen Muttertag |
📝 Example Sentences
- Wir feiern den Muttertag immer mit einem gemeinsamen Frühstück. (We always celebrate Mother's Day with a breakfast together.)
- Die Blumen sind für den Muttertag gedacht. (The flowers are intended for Mother's Day.)
- Ich erinnere mich gerne an den Muttertag letztes Jahr. (I fondly remember last year's Mother's Day.)
- Anlässlich des Muttertags sind viele Blumenläden geöffnet. (On the occasion of Mother's Day, many flower shops are open.)
💬 How to Use Muttertag?
The term "Muttertag" is mainly used in the context of the annual celebration.
- Typical Greetings: "Alles Liebe zum Muttertag!" (Lots of love for Mother's Day!), "Schönen Muttertag!" (Happy Mother's Day!)
- Context: Family (Familie), gifting (Schenken), celebrating (Feiern), traditions (Traditionen).
- Frequency: Especially in spring (Frühling), around the second Sunday in May, the term is very present in media, advertising, and private conversation.
People talk about plans for Muttertag, gifts for Muttertag, or memories of past Muttertage.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms
Synonyms:
There are hardly any direct synonyms for "Muttertag" in German, as it's a fixed term for this specific day.
Related Terms:
- Ehrentag der Mütter: A descriptive but rarely used term meaning "Honor day of mothers".
Counterparts (not direct antonyms):
- Vatertag: The corresponding holiday honoring fathers (in Germany, celebrated on Ascension Day).
- Kindertag: Children's Day (often June 1st or September 20th, depending on region/tradition).
- Frauentag/Weltfrauentag: International Women's Day on March 8th, focusing on women's rights and gender equality (has a different focus than Muttertag).
😂 A Little Mother's Day Joke
Fragt die Tochter ihre Mutter: "Mama, was wünschst du dir zum Muttertag?"
Antwortet die Mutter lächelnd: "Dass du dein Zimmer aufräumst!"
Die Tochter: "Puh, Glück gehabt, ich dachte schon, du wünschst dir was Teures!"
Translation:
The daughter asks her mother: "Mom, what do you wish for for Mother's Day?"
The mother replies smiling: "That you clean your room!"
The daughter: "Phew, lucky me, I thought you wanted something expensive!"
📜 A Poem for the Day
Für Mama
Der Kalender sagt, es ist soweit,
der Muttertag, die schönste Zeit.
Für alles, was du gibst und tust,
für deine Liebe, deine Lust,
uns froh zu machen, Tag für Tag,
ich dir heut' herzlich "Danke" sag!
Blumen blüh'n und Vögel singen,
soll'n dir nur Freude heute bringen.
Translation: For Mom
The calendar says the time has come,
Mother's Day, the loveliest one.
For everything you give and do,
For your love, your passion too,
To make us happy, day by day,
A heartfelt "Thank you" I now say!
Flowers bloom and birds all sing,
May they only joy today you bring.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Tag im schönen Mai,
bring' Blumen und viel Dank dabei.
Den Mamas wird heut' gratuliert,
und jede herzlich dekoriert.
Welcher Tag bin ich?
Lösung: der Muttertag
Translation:
I am a day in lovely May,
Bringing flowers and thanks along the way.
Moms are congratulated today,
And each one warmly decorated, hooray!
What day am I?
Answer: der Muttertag (Mother's Day)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition:
- The word "Muttertag" is a compound word (Kompositum) made up of:
- die Mutter: The mother; female person who has given birth to or raises a child.
- der Tag: The day; a period of 24 hours or the time between sunrise and sunset.
Origin:
Mother's Day in its modern form originated in the United States in the early 20th century, initiated by Anna Jarvis. It was officially introduced in Germany in 1923.
Typical Gifts:
Flowers (especially red roses - rote Rosen), chocolates (Pralinen), homemade gifts from children (selbstgebastelte Geschenke), breakfast in bed (Frühstück im Bett), or a family outing (gemeinsamer Ausflug) are popular traditions.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Muttertag?
The German word "Muttertag" (Mother's Day) is masculine. The correct article is der. So you say der Muttertag (e.g., Der Muttertag is in May.).