der  Professor

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/pʁofɛˈsoːɐ̯/

🎓 What does "der Professor" mean?

Der Professor (plural: die Professoren) generally refers to a university teacher of the highest rank at a university or college (Hochschule). He or she gives lectures (hält Vorlesungen), leads seminars (leitet Seminare), conducts research (betreibt Forschung), and supervises students (Studierende) and doctoral candidates (Doktoranden).

• Main meaning: Male holder of a professorship (Professur or Lehrstuhl) at an academic institution.

🚨 Important: The female form is die Professorin (plural: die Professorinnen).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of "der Professor" in Detail

The noun "Professor" is masculine and takes the article der. It belongs to the group of weak nouns (n-Deklination), which means it typically adds "-en" in all cases except the nominative singular. However, modern usage sometimes treats it as strong in the singular Dative and Accusative, and always in the Genitive.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Professor hält eine Vorlesung über Quantenphysik.
   (The professor is giving a lecture on quantum physics.)
2. Die Forschungsergebnisse des Professors wurden international veröffentlicht.
   (The professor's research results were published internationally. - Genitive)
3. Wir haben dem Professor unsere Fragen gestellt.
   (We asked the professor our questions. - Dative)
4. Ich habe den neuen Professor gestern kennengelernt.
   (I met the new professor yesterday. - Accusative)
5. Viele Professoren nahmen an der Konferenz teil.
   (Many professors participated in the conference. - Plural)

🗣️ How to use "Professor"?

• Academic Context: The most common use is in the university setting to refer to faculty members.
• Form of Address: The correct, formal address is "Herr Professor [Last Name]" or "Frau Professorin [Last Name]". Using just "Professor" or "Professorin" is less formal but common among colleagues or from students in more informal settings.
• Title: "Professor" (abbreviated Prof.) is also an academic title. Example: Prof. Dr. Müller.
• Figurative Meaning: Sometimes, someone might be colloquially (often slightly ironically) called a "Professor" if they seem very pedantic or knowledgeable, even without the actual academic title. Example: Er gibt sich immer wie ein kleiner Professor. (He always acts like a little professor.)

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Professor"

Article Mnemonic: Think: Der is the article for many male professions in German, and a Professor is typically a man (though die Professorin exists for women). He who professes is der Professor.

Meaning Mnemonic: A Professor is a professional who professes (teaches) their knowledge.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Words that can cause confusion:

• Doktor/in: (Doctor) - An academic degree (Ph.D.), but not automatically linked to a teaching position. Many professors hold a doctorate, but not every doctor is a professor.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt ein Student den Professor: "Können Sie mir das nochmal erklären?"
Antwortet der Professor: "Gerne. Und wem darf ich es diesmal erklären?"

English Translation: A student asks the professor: "Could you explain that to me again?"
The professor replies: "Gladly. And who should I explain it to this time?"

📜 Poem about the Professor

German:
Der Professor, klug und weise,
eginnt stets pünktlich seine Reise
durch Formeln, Fakten, Theorien,
lässt Denkkraft in den Köpfen glühen.
Mit ernster Miene, doch mit Schalk,
erklärt er die Welt, von Kern bis Kalk.

English Translation:
The professor, clever and so wise,
Always starts punctually his enterprise
Through formulas, facts, theories deep,
Makes thinking power in minds leap.
With serious face, yet with a jest,
Explains the world, from core to crest.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich trage oft Talar, doch bin kein Richter,
ich lehre an der Uni, schreibe Bücher dichter.
Ich prüfe und benote, forsche Tag und Nacht,
wer Wissen sucht, gibt auf mich acht.

Wer bin ich?

English Translation:
I often wear a gown, but am no judge,
I teach at university, write books without a nudge.
I test and grade, research day and night,
Whoever seeks knowledge, keeps me in sight.

Who am I?

Solution: Der Professor (The Professor)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Word Origin: The word comes from the Latin verb profiteri, meaning "to declare publicly, profess, teach".
• Compound Words: There are many compound words in German, e.g.:
  • Juniorprofessor/in: A qualifying position on the path to a full professorship.
  • Gastprofessor/in: A visiting professor teaching temporarily at another university.
  • Honorarprofessor/in: An honorary professor, often a professional from outside academia who teaches part-time.
  • Universitätsprofessor/in: Emphasizes employment at a university.
• Abbreviation: The common abbreviation is "Prof.".