der  Pariser

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/paˈʁiːzɐ/

🗼 What exactly is a Pariser?

The German word der Pariser has several meanings:

• A male inhabitant of Paris: This is the most common meaning. Example: Der Pariser trinkt seinen Café au Lait am Morgen. (The Parisian drinks his café au lait in the morning.) The female form is die Pariserin.
• A specific type of sausage: Similar to a Bockwurst or Brühwurst, often referred to simply as "Pariser". Example: Zum Mittagessen gibt es heute Pariser mit Kartoffelsalat. (For lunch today, we're having Pariser sausages with potato salad.) It's sometimes used without an article or generically as feminine (referring to die Wurst - the sausage): Ich hätte gern eine Pariser. (I'd like a Pariser sausage.)
• Colloquial (outdated/rare): A condom. This meaning is less common today. ⚠️

It's also important to note the adjective pariser (lowercase unless at the beginning of a sentence), which means 'from Paris' or 'typical of Paris' and is indeclinable (doesn't change its ending): das pariser Flair (the Parisian flair), ein pariser Bistro (a Parisian bistro).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Pariser

The noun der Pariser is masculine. Its declension depends on the meaning.

1. Der Pariser (Inhabitant of Paris)

This is a nominalized adjective (an adjective used as a noun). It follows the weak declension (n-declension) when preceded by a definite article, demonstrative pronoun, etc. Otherwise, it follows the mixed or strong declension (like an adjective without an article).

Declension after the definite article (weak):

2. Der Pariser (Sausage / Condom)

In this meaning, it's usually declined like a regular masculine noun following the strong declension.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Pariser kennt die besten Croissant-Bäckereien. (The Parisian knows the best croissant bakeries. - Inhabitant)
2. Gibst du mir bitte den Pariser? (Could you please pass me the Pariser sausage? - Sausage)
3. Wir trafen viele freundliche Pariser auf unserer Reise. (We met many friendly Parisians on our trip. - Inhabitants, Plural)
4. Er bestellte zwei Pariser mit Senf. (He ordered two Pariser sausages with mustard. - Sausage, Plural)

💡 How 'der Pariser' is Used

The usage of der Pariser is usually clear from the context.

• Inhabitant: When talking about people, nationalities, or origins, it clearly refers to the person from Paris. Often found in travelogues, news, or conversations about culture. Example: "Typisch für den Pariser ist seine Eleganz." ("His elegance is typical for the Parisian.")
• Sausage: In the context of food, butcher shops, snack bars, or supermarkets, "Pariser" refers to the sausage. Example: "Eine Packung Pariser, bitte." ("A pack of Pariser sausages, please.")
• Condom: This meaning is outdated and rarely used. It might appear in older texts or very colloquial language. Use with caution! ⚠️
• Adjective (pariser): Remember that the adjective pariser is invariable: die pariser Mode (the Parisian fashion), pariser Lebensart (Parisian way of life). It's written in lowercase (unless at the start of a sentence).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

• Article Mnemonic: Think of the Eiffel Tower (in German: der Turm - masculine) in Paris. Der Turm watches over den Pariser (the male inhabitant), who might also enjoy eating eine Pariser (sausage - even though sometimes used as feminine). This helps remember der Pariser for the man and the sausage.

• Meaning Mnemonic: A man (der Pariser) from Paris likes eating a sausage (die/der Pariser). The third meaning (condom) is rare, so focus on the man and the sausage! 😉

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Potential for Confusion: Be aware of the difference between the noun der Pariser (person/sausage) and the indeclinable adjective pariser (e.g., pariser Charme - Parisian charm).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Pariser ihren Kaffee immer mit zum Eiffelturm?

Damit sie Hoch-Genuss haben! 😉

Translation/Explanation: This is a pun. "Hochgenuss" means "great delight" or "treat". "Hoch" also means "high". So, they take their coffee up the high tower to have a "high enjoyment".

📜 A Little Poem

Der Pariser, schick und nett,
\Flaniert am Seine-Ufer kokett.
\Ob Mann, ob Wurst, das ist die Frage,
\Je nach der kulinarischen Lage.
\Doch meist ist's der Bewohner schlicht,
\Mit Charme im freundlichen Gesicht.

Translation:
The Parisian, chic and nice,
Strolls coquettishly by the Seine's banks.
Whether man or sausage, that's the question,
Depending on the culinary situation.
But mostly it's the simple resident,
With charm in a friendly face.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich komm aus der Stadt der Liebe, das ist klar,
\Manchmal bin ich essbar, Jahr für Jahr.
\Mein Artikel ist 'der', sag ich dir.
\Wer oder was bin ich, sag es mir!

Translation:
I come from the city of love, that's clear,
Sometimes I'm edible, year after year.
My article is 'der', I tell you now.
Who or what am I, tell me how!

Solution: der Pariser (both the inhabitant and the sausage)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition: The word derives directly from the city name Paris with the suffix -er, which is typical for indicating origin or belonging (like Berliner, Hamburger etc.).

Trivia: The "Pariser sausage" (Pariser Wurst) probably didn't originate directly in Paris. It might have been named or popularized by a butcher with connections to Paris. The exact origin is often unclear.