der  Page

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈpaːʒə/

📜 What does "der Page" mean?

The term der Page (pronounced similar to French: [ˈpaːʒə]) traditionally refers to a young man or boy serving a nobleman, knight, or other high-ranking person. His duties included running errands, carrying items, or learning courtly manners and the art of warfare.

Nowadays, the term is used less frequently and mostly in two contexts:

• Historical: Referring to the Middle Ages or the Early Modern period, often in literature or films.
• Modern: As a term for a Hotelpage (bellhop or pageboy), a young employee in a (usually upscale) hotel who helps guests with luggage, opens doors, or provides other services.

🚨 Important Note: Do not confuse der Page (masculine person) with die Page (website page, from English), although the pronunciation can be similar. Der Page is always masculine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Page" in Detail

The noun der Page is masculine. A special feature is that it belongs to the N-declension (N-Deklination). This means it takes the ending "-n" in all cases except the nominative singular.

Declension Tables

💡 Example Sentences

1. Im Mittelalter lernte der Page beim Ritter das Kämpfen.
   (In the Middle Ages, the page learned to fight from the knight.)
2. Der Hotelgast gab dem Pagen ein Trinkgeld für das Tragen der Koffer.
   (The hotel guest gave the pageboy a tip for carrying the suitcases.)
3. Wir sahen den Pagen eilig durch die Hotelhalle laufen.
   (We saw the pageboy quickly running through the hotel lobby.)
4. Die Aufgaben des Pagen waren vielfältig.
   (The page's tasks were diverse.)
5. Früher dienten viele junge Pagen an den Königshöfen.
   (In the past, many young pages served at the royal courts.)

🗣️ How to use "der Page"?

The use of der Page is rather limited today and often sounds somewhat formal or historical.

• Historical Context: Very common in texts, films, or conversations about the Middle Ages or noble courts. Example: "Der junge Page überbrachte dem König die Nachricht." (The young page delivered the message to the king.)
• Hotel Context: Used for hotel pageboys, especially in more upscale establishments. The alternative and often more common term is "der Hotelpage". Example: "Könnten Sie bitte den Pagen rufen, um unser Gepäck aufs Zimmer zu bringen?" (Could you please call the pageboy to bring our luggage to the room?)
• Figuratively/Ironically: Sometimes the term is used slightly ironically for someone performing subservient tasks, but this is rare.

In general usage, words like Assistent (assistant), Helfer (helper), or in the hotel context Hotelmitarbeiter (hotel employee) or Gepäckträger (porter) are often more common unless the specific role of the page is meant.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Page"

Article Mnemonic

Think: Der is the article for masculine persons. A pageboy is typically male, so it's der Page. Imagine Der dude is der Page.

Meaning Mnemonic

Imagine a young boy turning the pages of a large book for a king or carrying luggage through a hotel lobby like he's turning a 'new page' for the guests' stay. That boy is der Page.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Die Page: (feminine) Refers to a web page on the internet (from English). Has nothing to do with the attendant!

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Hotelgast den Pagen: "Sagen Sie mal, junger Mann, ist der Hoteldirektor immer so gestresst?"
Antwortet der Page: "Nur wenn er versucht, seine Krawatte selbst zu binden."

Translation:

The hotel guest asks the pageboy: "Tell me, young man, is the hotel manager always this stressed?"
The pageboy replies: "Only when he tries to tie his own tie."

📜 A Poem about the Page

Der Page flink und jung,
Mit ernstem, leisem Schwung,
Dient er dem Herrn im Saal,
Bei Fest und beim Pokal.

Trägt Brief und schwere Last,
Ist selten nur zur Rast.
Ein Leben voller Pflicht,
Im schummrigen Kerzenlicht.

Translation:

The page swift and young,
With serious, quiet swing,
He serves the lord in the hall,
At feasts and with the cup tall.

Carries letter and heavy load,
Is seldom just bestowed
A rest. A life full of duty,
In dim candlelight's beauty.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich diene Herrn in Burg und Schloss,
Bin jung und flink, trag manches Los.
Im Hotel heut' trag ich Koffer schwer,
Sag, wer bin ich, bitte sehr?

Translation:

I serve lords in castle and keep,
Am young and swift, secrets I reap.
In hotels today, I carry bags heavy,
Tell me, who am I, if you're ready?

(Solution: Der Page / The Page)

💡 Other Information

• Etymology: The word "Page" comes from the French page, whose origin is debated. One theory suggests it derives from the Greek paidion (child, little boy).
• N-Declension: "Der Page" shares its membership in the N-declension with other masculine nouns referring to living beings, often ending in "-e" (e.g., der Junge - the boy, der Kollege - the colleague, der Kunde - the customer), as well as some other words (e.g., der Herr - the gentleman/lord, der Nachbar - the neighbor).