der
Pharao
👑 What does "der Pharao" mean?
The term der Pharao (plural: die Pharaonen) refers to the title of the ancient Egyptian rulers. It is a masculine noun (Maskulinum) and always used with the article "der".
Originally, the word referred to the royal palace ("great house"), but later it became the designation for the king himself.
There are no other meanings or articles for this word in German.
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 Spotlight: Declension of Pharao
The noun "der Pharao" is declined as follows:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Pharao |
| Genitive | des | Pharao(s) |
| Dative | dem | Pharao |
| Accusative | den | Pharao |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Pharaonen |
| Genitive | der | Pharaonen |
| Dative | den | Pharaonen |
| Accusative | die | Pharaonen |
Note: The genitive singular form can be either "des Pharao" or "des Pharaos", with "des Pharaos" being more common.
Example Sentences
- Der berühmteste Pharao war wohl Tutanchamun. (Probably the most famous pharaoh was Tutankhamun.)
- Die Macht des Pharaos war im alten Ägypten absolut. (The power of the pharaoh was absolute in ancient Egypt.)
- Man brachte dem Pharao Opfergaben dar. (Offerings were brought to the pharaoh.)
- Archäologen entdeckten das Grab eines Pharaos. (Archaeologists discovered the tomb of a pharaoh.)
- Viele Pharaonen ließen beeindruckende Pyramiden errichten. (Many pharaohs had impressive pyramids built.)
🏺 When to use "der Pharao"?
The term "Pharao" is primarily used in a historical context when discussing or writing about ancient Egypt.
- Historiography: In texts about Egyptian history, dynasties, and rulers.
- Archaeology: When describing findings, tombs, and monuments.
- Religion: In connection with the divine role of the Pharao in ancient Egyptian religion.
- Literature and Film: In novels, movies, or documentaries set in ancient Egypt.
Figuratively, the term is rarely used, but could jokingly or critically refer to a person with unlimited power (e.g., "Er führt sich auf wie ein Pharao!" - "He acts like a pharaoh!"), although this is uncommon.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Herrscher (the ruler) of Egypt – der Pharao. The 'H' in Herrscher (ruler) reminds you of the 'h' in Pharao, and Herrscher is masculine (der).
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a PHAntom commanding an ARAbian camel like an Overlord – that's the Pharao, the supreme ruler of Egypt.
↔️ Synonyms and (Conceptual) Opposites
Synonyms (Similar Terms):
Conceptual Opposites:
- Der Untertan: Subject (person under the rule of another).
- Der Sklave: Slave (person in complete dependence and without rights).
- Das Volk: The people (the entirety of subjects or citizens of a state).
⚠️ Caution: Although similar, synonyms are not always interchangeable. "Pharao" is specific to ancient Egypt.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Lehrer: "Wer kann mir einen berühmten Pharao nennen?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Der Pharao Ananas-der-Erste!"
Lehrer: "Den gab es doch gar nicht!"
Fritzchen: "Doch! Im Lied heißt es doch: 'Ananas, Ananas, dem Pharao sein...'"
Translation:
The teacher asks: "Who can name a famous pharaoh?"
Little Fritz raises his hand: "Pharaoh Pineapple-the-First!"
Teacher: "He never existed!"
Fritzchen: "Yes! The song goes: 'Pineapple, pineapple, belonging to the pharaoh...'" (This is a pun based on a misunderstanding of a children's song fragment, likely misheard or nonsensical).
📜 A Short Poem
Am Nil, im Sand, vor langer Zeit,
regierte mit Allmächtigkeit
Der Pharao, gottgleich und hehr,
sein Wort war Gesetz, sein Wille schwer.
Er baute Tempel, groß und stolz,
aus Stein gemeißelt, edlem Holz.
Sein Name lebt in Stein und Schrift,
ein Herrscher aus der alten Gruft.
Translation:
By the Nile, in sand, long ago,
ruled with omnipotence aglow
The Pharaoh, godlike and sublime,
his word was law, his will defined the time.
He built temples, grand and proud,
carved from stone, of noble wood endowed.
His name lives on in stone and script,
a ruler from the ancient crypt.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich trug 'ne Krone, herrschte am Nil,
mein Grab ist oft ein Pyramidenspiel.
Mein Titel klingt wie 'großes Haus',
im alten Ägypten war ich zuhaus'.
Wer bin ich? (Lösung: Der Pharao)
Translation:
I wore a crown, ruled on the Nile,
my tomb is often a pyramid's style.
My title sounds like 'great house' aloud,
in ancient Egypt, I commanded the crowd.
Who am I?
(Answer: The Pharaoh / der Pharao)
➕ Other Information
Word Origin (Etymology):
The word "Pharao" comes from the Egyptian word "per aa" (also pr-ʿɜ), which literally means "great house" and originally referred to the royal palace. Only in the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BC) was it used as a direct title for the king.
Interesting Fact: Although there were female rulers like Hatshepsut, the title "Pharao" is mostly used as masculine in German. Female rulers are often more specifically referred to as "weiblicher Pharao" (female pharaoh) or by their proper name.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Pharao?
The word "Pharao" is a masculine noun and always takes the article der (der Pharao, die Pharaonen). It refers to the title of the rulers in ancient Egypt.