der
Pate
📜 What does 'der Pate' mean?
The German word der Pate has several meanings:
- Godfather (baptism): This is the most common meaning. A man present at a child's baptism who, together with the parents, supports the child's Christian upbringing. He takes on a Patenschaft (godparenthood/sponsorship). The female form is die Patin.
- Mafia Boss ('The Godfather'): Made famous by the novel and film of the same name ("Der Pate" / "The Godfather"). Here, it refers to the head of a mafia family, often a figure commanding respect and great power.
- Sponsor / Patron: Figuratively, a Pate can also be someone who promotes and supports a project, an idea, or a person (e.g., "Pate einer Initiative sein" - to be the patron of an initiative). The phrase "Pate stehen für etwas" (to stand sponsor for something) is also common.
🚨 Although all meanings use the article der, the context is crucial for understanding which meaning is intended.
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.
🧐 Grammar and Declension of 'der Pate'
Der Pate is a masculine noun (Maskulinum) belonging to the weak N-declension. This means it adds the ending -n in all cases except the nominative singular.
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Pate |
| Genitive | des | Paten |
| Dative | dem | Paten |
| Accusative | den | Paten |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Paten |
| Genitive | der | Paten |
| Dative | den | Paten |
| Accusative | die | Paten |
📝 Example Sentences
- Mein Onkel ist mein Pate. (My uncle is my godfather. - Nominative Singular)
- Wir besuchen heute den Paten meines Sohnes. (Today we are visiting my son's godfather. - Accusative Singular)
- Das ist das Geschenk des Paten. (That is the godfather's present. - Genitive Singular)
- Im Film ist Don Corleone der mächtige Pate. (In the movie, Don Corleone is the powerful Godfather. - Nominative Singular)
- Viele hatten Angst vor dem Paten. (Many were afraid of the Godfather. - Dative Singular)
- Der berühmte Schauspieler stand Pate für das neue Filmprojekt. (The famous actor sponsored the new film project. - Nominative Singular)
- Alle Paten waren zur Taufe eingeladen. (All the godfathers/godparents were invited to the baptism. - Nominative Plural)
💡 How to use 'der Pate'?
The usage of der Pate heavily depends on the context:
- In a family/religious context: This almost always refers to the Taufpate (godfather at baptism). It's a role with traditional obligations towards the Patenkind (godchild). Example: "Der Pate schenkt seinem Patenkind zur Kommunion eine Bibel." (The godfather gives his godchild a bible for communion.)
- In the context of organized crime/film/literature: Here, der Pate refers to the head of a criminal organization, especially in connection with the Italian-American Mafia. This meaning became world-famous through Mario Puzo's novel and Francis Ford Coppola's film adaptation. Example: "Der Pate machte ihm ein Angebot, das er nicht ablehnen konnte." (The Godfather made him an offer he couldn't refuse.)
- In a figurative sense (sponsorship): When someone or something serves as inspiration or a model for something new, or actively supports it. Example: "Dieses erfolgreiche Geschäftsmodell stand Pate für viele Nachahmer." (This successful business model served as a model/inspiration for many imitators.) Or: "Der Bürgermeister ist Pate dieser Baumpflanzaktion." (The mayor is the patron/sponsor of this tree-planting campaign.)
Important: The feminine form is die Patin for all meanings (godmother, female patron). In the plural, die Paten is used, which can refer to male godfathers or a mixed group of godparents/sponsors.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Pate'
For the article 'der': Think of the Latin origin 'pater' (father) - it's der Vater (the father), so it's der Pate. Or imagine Der Don Corleone, the famous Pate.
For the meaning: Imagine a godfather (Pate) giving you 'pats' on the back – either encouraging pats (like a godparent) or slightly menacing pats (like a mafia boss).
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
- For Taufpate (godfather): Taufzeuge (baptism witness), Firmpate (confirmation sponsor, Catholic)
- For Förderer (sponsor/patron): Schirmherr (patron), Mentor, Unterstützer (supporter), Bürge (guarantor), Sponsor
- For Mafia-Boss: Mafiaboss, Capo, Don (especially in film context)
Antonyms
Direct antonyms are difficult as it's highly context-dependent.
- Opposite of Taufpate/Förderer: Gegner (opponent), Feind (enemy), Widersacher (adversary) - in the sense of someone who does not support
- Opposite of Mafia-Boss: Gesetzeshüter (law enforcer), Rivale (rival), Opfer (victim)
- Opposite of Patenkind (godchild): (No direct antonym for the role of the Pate itself)
Similar but Different Words
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Sie sollen dem Paten gedroht haben?"
Angeklagter: "Nein, Herr Richter, ich habe ihm nur ein Angebot gemacht, das er nicht ablehnen konnte... nämlich meine Rechnung zu bezahlen!"
Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Is it true you threatened the Godfather?"
Defendant: "No, Your Honor, I just made him an offer he couldn't refuse... namely, to pay my bill!"
✍️ Poem about the Pate
Der Pate, ein Mann von Ehr',
Steht bei der Taufe, bitte sehr.
Er verspricht mit ernstem Wort,
Begleitung an dem heil'gen Ort.
Mal streng, mal sanft, mit Rat und Tat,
Ist er fürs Kind stets parat.
Ob Taufpate, ob Don im Film,
Der Pate hat Gewicht und Schirm.
Translation:
The Godfather, a man of honor,
Stands at the baptism, if you please.
He promises with solemn word,
Companionship at the holy place.
Sometimes strict, sometimes gentle, with advice and action,
He is always ready for the child.
Whether godfather, or Don in film,
The Godfather has weight and patronage.
🧩 Riddle
Ich steh' am Becken, nicht zum Schwimmen,
Soll helfen, dass die Tugend wird klimmen.
Mal bin ich Boss in dunkler Nacht,
Háb über mein 'Revier' die Wacht.
Mal förd're ich ein Projekt mit Geld,
Bin männlich in dieser Welt.
Wer bin ich? Lösung: Der Pate
Translation:
I stand by the font, not for swimming,
Meant to help virtue start brimming.
Sometimes I'm a boss in darkest night,
Keeping watch over my 'territory' tight.
Sometimes I fund a project with cash,
I'm masculine in this world's dash.
Who am I?
Solution: Der Pate (The Godfather/Sponsor)
✨ Interesting Facts
- Etymology: The word "Pate" comes from the Latin word "pater", meaning "father". The connection to a fatherly protective function is therefore present in its origin. (DE: Das Wort "Pate" stammt vom lateinischen Wort pater ab, was "Vater" bedeutet.)
- Cultural Significance: The role of the Taufpate (godfather) has a long tradition in many Christian cultures and is often associated with social obligations. (DE: Die Rolle des Taufpaten hat in vielen christlichen Kulturen eine lange Tradition.)
- Film "Der Pate" ("The Godfather"): Francis Ford Coppola's film (1972) significantly shaped the image of the Mafia godfather and is considered a masterpiece of cinema history. (DE: Der Film "Der Pate" prägte die Vorstellung des Mafia-Paten nachhaltig.)
- Feminine Form: The feminine form is die Patin (godmother/female patron). (DE: Die weibliche Form ist die Patin.)
- Sponsorships (Patenschaften): Besides baptism godparenthood, there are many other forms of sponsorships today, e.g., for animals in a zoo, for trees, or for social projects, where one acts as a "Pate" or "Patin". (DE: Neben der Taufpatenschaft gibt es heute viele andere Formen von Patenschaften.)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Pate?
The word Pate is always masculine: der Pate. It refers to a godfather (at baptism), a Mafia boss (like in "The Godfather"), or a sponsor/patron. It follows the weak N-declension (e.g., Genitive: des Paten).